About Emily
Dr. Emily Isaacson is a conductor, speaker, and consultant reimagining classical music for today’s audiences — and how we gather around it.
As founder and artistic director of Classical Uprising, she has built a community of over 6,000 musicians and music lovers through performances that break from tradition — bringing classical music into new spaces, formats, and conversations.
Her work sits at the intersection of artistry, innovation, and leadership, and extends across three core areas: Performance, Speaking, and Consulting.
At the core of her work is a belief that classical music must evolve—expanding where, how, and for whom it exists.
Awards
20 Outstanding Women, Portland Media Group 2024
State award for women leaders
Ernst Bacon Memorial Award 2022
First place in national award for the performance of American Music
Artist of the Year, Maine Arts Commission 2018
50 Mainers Shaping the State, Maine Magazine 2018
American Prize, Conducting 2022, 2018, 2015
Saint Andrews Society Scholar 2004
One of two U.S. citizens selected for full graduate scholarship for study in Scotland