Qualifications
Master of Music (Newcastle, UK)
Postgraduate Diploma of Education (University of Queensland)
Bachelor of Arts (University of Queensland)
Bachelor of Creative Arts (University of Southern Queensland)
A.Mus.A (AMEB)
Emma was awarded a scholarship to complete a Master of Music in Folk and Traditional Music at Newcastle University (UK), studying fiddle with Catriona Macdonald and writing a dissertation under Dr Vic Gammon. She is currently undertaking a PhD at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (Australia), researching methods of dissemination of traditional Scottish fiddling.
Research
Research topics:
Scottish Fiddling in Australia
The Music of Robert ‘Ballantyne’ Baillie
Transmission of style at Scottish fiddling summer schools
Australian Accents in Scottish Fiddling
The Music of Alexander Laing
Presentations
2014 ‘My Journey with the Fiddle”, presentation and performance at Brisbane Square Library, Brisbane (AUSTRALIA). Topic: The path one Australian took to become a Scottish fiddler.
2014 “Scottish Fiddle, Australian Accent”, paper presented at QCGU Postgrad Symposium, Brisbane (AUSTRALIA). Topic: Are proto-Australian accents emerging in Scottish fiddle playing in Australia?
2013 “Teaching Celtic Tunes Aurally”, invited presentation at Maryborough Music Conference, Maryborough (AUSTRALIA). Topic: How to make Celtic tunes sound stylistically appropriate.
2013 “Arranging for a Celtic ensemble”, invited presentation at Maryborough Music Conference, Maryborough (AUSTRALIA). Topic: How to arrange Celtic tunes in a stylistically appropriate manner for string ensembles.
2012 “Scottish Fiddling in Australia”, paper presented at National Folklore Conference, Canberra (AUSTRALIA). Topic: Locating Australian Scottish fiddling within its socio-historical context.
2012 “Roots and All”, presentation and performance for National Folk Fellowship at National Library of Australia, Canberra (AUSTRALIA). Topic: An overview of Scottish fiddling in Australia with performed examples of popular and original performance and dance repertoire. http://www.nla.gov.au/ podcasts/media/2012-Folk-Fellow-concert.mp3
2012 “Scottish Fiddling in Australia”, paper presented at North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, Derry (UK). Topic: An examination of manuscript collections of the National Library of Australia to explore performance elements of Australian Scottish fiddlers in the 20th century.
2011 “Transmission of Style in Scottish Fiddle Workshops”, presentation for confirmation of candidature of PhD at Monash University, Melbourne (AUSTRALIA). Topic: Methodological practice in researching transmission of style.
2010 “Transmission of style in Scottish fiddle workshops”, paper and performance presented at Monash University Conservatorium Seminar Series, Melbourne (AUSTRALIA). Topic: Explanation and demonstration of performance practice elements in Scottish fiddling and how these are transmitted to intermediate level learners.
2010 “Transmission of style in Scottish fiddle workshops”, paper presented at North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, Aberdeen (UK). Topic: Examination and measurement of the means of transmission of style.
2010 “Using Celtic Music in Group Instrumental Lessons”, invited presentation for Education Queensland Professional Development Training, Toowoomba (AUSTRALIA). Topic: Discussion and demonstration using Celtic fiddle music to develop aural perception in students in group-learning settings.
2010 “Teaching instrumental music aurally: using Celtic music in the classroom”, invited presentation at Sound Thinking Australia Summer School Music Program, Brisbane (AUSTRALIA).
Publications
2012 “The Transmission of Style in Scottish Fiddling” in Routes & Roots: Fiddle and Dance Studies from around the North Atlantic 4 ed. by Ian Russell and Chris Goertzen (Aberdeen: Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen, 2012) 241pp, illus., bibliog., indexes. ISBN 0-9545682-7-3.
pending “Scottish Fiddling in Australia” accepted for publication in Fiddle and Dance Studies from around the North Atlantic 5, conference proceedings of North Atlantic Fiddle Convention 2012, due for release 2015.
pending “Scottish Fiddle, Australian Accent”, e-publication of paper presented at ‘Music, Mayhem and Change’, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU) Postgrad Symposium 2014.
Discography
2016 The Black Bear, Black Bear Duo featuring Emma Nixon and Iain Mckenzie
2015 Clouded House, Cloudstreet featuring Nicole Murray, John Thompson and Emma Nixon.
2014 The Secret History of Queensland, The Wish List featuring Emma Nixon, Nicole Murray and Rebecca Wright with guest Erin Sulman
2013 The Wish List, The Wish List featuring Emma Nixon,
Nicole Murray and guest musicians Rebecca Wright, Donald McKay and Lisa Stevenson
2012 Roots and All, National Folk Fellows Emma Nixon and Chris Stone, with Holly Downes, Graham McLeod and Tony Vandermeer
2011 Chasing the Sunset, Emma Nixon and Tony Vandermeer
2010 Live Under the Bridge, Community Radio, invited Australian artists recording project, recorded at 4EB Studio, for use on community radio throughout Australia.
2007 Scots of the South-East, Tracks for Jim Johnstone’s CD of Robbie Burns’ poetry readings.
2006 After Maeve (soundtrack), documentary screened on SBS television, September 2006 (Australia). Also screened in Belgium, Ireland, and Israel (2006).
2003 Classical Guitar Christmas, commissioned CD with Tony Vandermeer (MRA label).
2002 Peaceful Moments, commissioned CD with Tony Vandermeer (MRA label).