Emer McDonough is principal flute of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and is also the flute player for the Haffner Wind Ensemble. She was previously principal flute of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Emer has performed, recorded and toured extensively with these and many other orchestras including Opera de Lyon, the Hallé, London Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic and many others.

Emer’s solo work has included the British premiere of the Christopher Rouse Concerto with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and concertos with Britten Sinfonia, RPO, BSO, HKPO and National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.

Also an enthusiastic teacher, Emer is a professor at The Royal College of Music and has also given masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Oxford Flute Summer School.

Emer was born and raised in Dublin. She received her education through the Irish language and studied flute, recorder and piano at The Royal Irish Academy of Music with the inspirational Doris Keogh. Later Emer was privileged to learn with Peter Lloyd at the Royal Northern College of music.