Mission
The Emerging Professional Leadership Council (EPLC) provides young professionals valuable non-profit board experience by working alongside the board of Early Music America to support and advocate for the next generation of early music professionals, performers, scholars, patrons and enthusiasts in the Americas.
EPLC members receive mentorship from EMA board and committee members, take part in EMA board committee meetings, connect with other emerging early music professionals, and make a difference in our community through EMA’s programming.
The EPLC is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and building a diverse council.
If you have comments or questions for members of EPLC, Contact EMA.
2025-2026 EPLC Members
Julia Connor
Lin Lao
Hayley Raye Murks-Abdikadirova, co-chair
Shanti Nachtergaele
Fernando Santiago Serrano dos Santos
Amelia Sie, co-chair
Eva Elizabeth Skanse
Lindsey Tootle, secretary
Eleanor Walters
Nicole Vega
Emerging Professional Leadership Council Application Now Open
EMA’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council (EPLC) seeks applications for 2026-2027. The EPLC is a creative, energetic and welcoming community. If you are under 35 and feel passionate about shaping the future of early music, we would love to hear from you!
Please view the member guidelines and EPLC mission before applying.
Application deadline: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 11:59pm PT
EPLC Member Guidelines
- The EPLC will comprise a maximum of 15 members.
- EPLC Members will serve a 2-year term, renewable once for a 1-year term extension. (3-year term max)
- To be an EPLC member in good standing, members are expected to attend a minimum of three of the four quarterly Council meetings (August, November, February, and May) and actively participate in Council projects.
- EPLC members should expect a commitment of four hours per month over 10 months each year.
- All EPLC members receive a complimentary EMA Personal membership.
- Membership is not required at the time of application.
- EPLC members are invited to attend EMA Board meetings (in person or via Zoom), as non-voting participants and to actively participate in EMA’s Board training programs and committees.
- Candidates should be no older than 35 at time of application.
Julia Connor
I have co-founded both the Berwick Fiddle Consort, which performs historical folk music on period instruments, and Room to Spare, which composes and performs original music blending jazz, classical, and folk traditions. Recent highlights include a performance with Rumbarroco and La Donna Musicale at the Boston Early Music Festival, a residency at Avaloch Farm, multiple solo recitals, and teaching at the Panama Jazz Festival. When not performing, I like to hike and make pies.
Lin Lao
I’m a fortepianist and my passion lies in researching and rediscovering forgotten compositions and performing these works on the historical instruments for which they were composed. I actively perform and present at early-music conferences, and also serve as the chair of the Nominating Committee at the Historical Keyboard Society of North America. I look forward to more adventures at EPLC and EMA. Outside of music, I like to read, hike, and cook.
Hayley Murks-Abdikadirova
Co-chairAs a performer-composer and certified teaching artist, I am thrilled to serve on the EPLC this year! I’m a violist originally from Mississippi, with a wide range of interests in the field of performance as well as arts entrepreneurship and leadership. After completing my graduate studies in viola performance at the Longy School of Music, I’m excited to embark on a new journey working on an advanced degree at Harvard studying arts leadership.
Shanti Nachtergaele
I am a scholar-performer whose work centers on the interplay between musical practice and research. I rely on my perspective as a period double bassist to investigate the history of the instrument, incorporating the study of material culture, reception and identity, musical institutions, and historical performance practices. As of this fall, I teach music history at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.
Fernando Santiago Serrano dos Santos
Curious and inquisitive, I am a Brazilian baroque violinist, with interests ranging from rhetoric to historical dances. Having recently worked alongside important names of the early-music scene, such as Jos van Veldhoven and John Butt, I continue my investigations with Pavlo Beznosiuk, Rachel Podger, Nicolette Moonen, and dance specialist Mary Collins, as an Enlightenment Award holder at the Royal Academy of Music. Previous education highlights include the São Paulo State University, the Versailles Centre for Baroque Music, and the OSESP Academy.
Amelia Sie
Co-chairI’m a violinist/violist, newly based in Chicago. In my recent past, I was in NYC, freelancing in the area after graduating from the Juilliard School. Before that, I lived in Boston, first as a student at New England Conservatory and then as a music teacher at Bridge Boston Charter School. When I’m not performing, you can either find me at work as the Fellowship Manager for the Grant Park Music Festival or at home snuggling up with my cats and a good fantasy book.
Eva Skanse
I play historical flutes. I am currently serving as executive director of Lyra Baroque Orchestra of Minnesota, one of the oldest early music orchestras in the country. Before that, I was involved in the founding of 3 early music nonprofits. My research interest is music of the Scandinavian Baroque and I direct an ensemble devoted to this repertoire, the Aurora Ensemble. I studied historical performance at the Longy School.
Lindsey Tootle
SecretaryI’m Lindsey, a Cincinnati-based Baroque violinist originally from Huntsville, Alabama. An ongoing personal project is the founding of a historically informed ensemble in Alabama which will explore music of both the Baroque and traditional/early American repertoires, as well as helping to galvanize both new and existing early-music initiatives statewide. I’m thrilled to join EPLC to exchange fresh ideas with talented colleagues, and make wonderful friends along the way!
Nicole Vega
I’m a Chilean violinist and passionate music educator based in Amherst, MA, with training in both modern and historical performance. I’ve participated in Baroque programs such as the Berwick Academy, Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, Tafelmusik, and ARTEK. I hold a B.A. from Montclair State University and an M.A. from Florida State University. Passionate about expanding early music’s reach in South America, I recently joined EPLC to gain new skills and connect with inspiring colleagues in the field.
Eleanor Walters
I’m Ellie, a Chicago-based early music soprano. I enjoy music of all sorts and especially treasure making music with others. As social media manager for The Newberry Consort, I’m able to bring early music to more people in my community. I recently completed my master’s in early music at USC, and I will use this knowledge to expand my community-facing work by interfacing with the public library system to bring early music to more people.
