Emma Moores’s Bio

Emma Moores is the Executive Director of Cathedral Choral Society. Emma brings a track record for organizational effectiveness while maintaining her commitment to a people- and mission-centric approach. Her deep connection with symphonic choral music—including over 15 years managing similar organizations alongside decades of orchestral performance—shapes her perspective on daily administration as well as long-term strategy.

Prior to joining CCS in 2025, Emma worked for Grammy Award-winning The Washington Chorus since 2013, serving for six years as its Deputy Director after being promoted from Development Director. She supported the 220-voice symphonic chorus in its presentation of concerts at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Music Center at Strathmore, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and other Washington, DC-area venues, reaching audiences of 35,000 annually. With a particular appreciation for the impact of partnerships, Emma brought intention to collaborations with DC-area organizations and worked closely with DC Public Schools, Arts for the Aging, BroadFutures, and the Library of Congress to develop engagement programming, in addition to extensive performance partnerships with area choruses, orchestras, and artists. She was a key player in The Washington Chorus’ artistic director search, strategic plan creation, and new brand identity and logo launch. Her efforts in development and marketing saw the growth of the organization’s earned and contributed revenue to surpass pre-pandemic levels for the $2.2MM organization.

As the Operations and Marketing Manager of YOA Orchestra of the Americas from 2010 to 2013, Emma managed performances that brought her to twelve countries in Central and South America. She supported productions in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls—from México’s Palacio de Bellas Artes to Chile’s Teatro del Lago—with guest artists such as Plácido Domingo, Philip Glass, Joshua Bell, and Sarah Chang. From 2009 to 2014 Emma also managed operations for Youth Orchestras of Prince William, the instrumental music program serving youth in Prince William county, Virginia.

Emma grew up outside of Seattle, Washington and studied trombone at the University of Washington under Don Immel, Philip Brown, and Ko-ichiro Yamamoto, as well as ensemble directors Brad McDavid and Timothy Salzman. She has performed in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Japan, and throughout the United States, including a memorable solo performance with the Husky Marching Band on Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody at the NFC West Championship game. After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in orchestral performance, she earned her Master of Arts in Arts Management from George Mason University.

An avid trail runner and newly-minted ultra-marathoner, Emma is an active member of the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club and DC Capital Striders. Emma also enjoys continuing to play trombone with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra and can be seen in their season performances at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. She and her husband Patrick live in Virginia with their son, Henry, who keeps them busy with his school, piano, and swim club activities.

(202) 537-5524 | emoores@cathedral.org