Emma Nightingale is a versatile and independent performer, director, and writer, dedicated to exploring the vast spectrum of human emotions through her work. With a diverse skill set encompassing vocal performance, writing, directing, and producing, Emma centres joy in the creative process, ensuring a transformative experience for all involved in and impacted by her artistry.  

For OQ and Shake and Stir’s schools shows, Emma has played Juniper (The Frog Prince), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) and Mimi (La Bohème). Emma is a regular chorus member with OQ, appearing in Verdi, Don Giovanni, Peter Grimes, The Sopranos, Ruddigore or The Witch’s Curse, La Traviata and Lucia di Lammermoor.  

As a lyric soprano, Emma’s recent credits include soloist for the 50th Anniversary of the Brisbane City Pops Orchestra, and America! for Voxalis in 2023. In 2022, Emma made her OQ principal debut in the Festival of Outback Opera gala events and also featured as a soloist in Home Grown Opera. 

Other roles and engagements include The Foreign Woman in Menotti’s The Consul, for The CoOperaTive, The Seven Sopranos for BLEACH* Festival on the Gold Coast, Brisbane Lord Mayors Christmas Carols, Opera in the Gardens, Opera by the Lake, and in concert with The Brisbane City Pops Orchestra.  

In 2022, Emma made her first foray into directing, as assistant director of the OQ and Shake and Stir schools shows, and in 2023, returned to remount La Bohème and Fizz! (OQ), and The Frog Prince for State Opera South Australia. Recently, Emma was Assistant Director for OQ’s regional touring production, Do We Need Another Hero?, and returns in 2025 as Assistant Director for schools show The Adventures of Figaro, and La Cenerentola for Brisbane Bel Canto (OQ).