BIOGRAPHY
About EM The Master
Known for her high-energy performances, poignant lyrics and unique theatricality, Em Hoggett aka. EM The Master is an award-winning music artist, actress, writer, director, classical pianist, songwriter and activist. Beginning as a classical pianist aged 3, Em was named a “prodigy”, receiving her first degree in piano performance aged 11, and a second at 15. At 13 she performed with concert pianist Lang Lang at The Royal Festival Hall. Passionate about acting, singing and writing, Em attended Sylvia Young Theatre School where she studied these skills, as well as further developing her musicianship and becoming a songwriter. At 15 she performed her original songs at Camden Underworld. She then studied at Purcell School of Music, followed by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where she obtained her acting degree.
Em’s broad background is evident in her work, which defies genre and spans theatre, music and storytelling. Most recently, she performed her one-woman-musical, SHOWTIME!, for a full run at Edinburgh Fringe 2024. “Is there anything EM The Master can’t do? She has a formidable array of talents on display in her solo musical SHOWTIME!” – The Scotsman
British born, Em lived in LA for a number of years, where she led a successful career as “EM The Master”, performing her original music and show multiple nights a week across LA. Highly theatrical and audience-involved, Em leads a 5-piece band and dancers in a musical storytelling experience which has been compared to Freddie Mercury and Tim Burton. Em has held residencies at numerous venues in LA, including historic Harvelles Blues Club, The Red Door of Toluca Lake and Petit Ermitage. “Showmanship, electric piano pounding, stage presence, charisma, theatrics, energy, arranging, choreography – what else you want?” – Santa Monica Daily Press
A Prolific Songwriter
Em has released numerous albums and singles. Her debut EP, What I Want To Say To You, explored her experience of rape and was dedicated to sexual assault survivors. Hard Rock Café wrote “Em joins artists such as Lady Gaga and Tori Amos in giving a voice to those who need it most”. Em took a theatrical stage show adaptation of this EP to Hollywood Fringe 2018 and was Pick of the Fringe. Later, Em co-authored a book with Lady Gaga and other young activists, which was a New York Times Bestseller. Em’s style is an eclectic mix of music, theatre and storytelling, all grounded in one common theme – truth. Her shows are known to be extremely high-energy, theatrical, dark, and yet also hilarious. Em’s mission is grounded in brutal honesty, and a candid portrayal of the human experience. She hopes to share a message of abolishing shame and embracing humanity, being fearlessly witnessed as she lives, journeys and grows. Her most recent singles were produced by GRAMMY-winner Adrian Young (No Doubt), in which he also features on drums, and Todd Forman. In filmmaking, Em was selected to create a musical short film version of SHOWTIME! with the Academy Award Museum, LA.
As a director, Em has recently been nominated at both Cannes Remember The Future Festival and LA Independent Women Film Awards for Best Music Video and Best Music Video Director for her work on “Questions.” She has also directed a number of her other music videos. Questions. is a 2023 single of Em’s, produced by GRAMMY-winner Tim Sonnefeld (Elvis Costello), who also produced her unconventional but hilarious Christmas single “All I Want For Christmas Is…”.
A multi-disciplinary artist, Em is also an activist, working against sexual assault as well as having a keen interest in ocean wellness. A scuba diver, Em is excited to be blending her passions of animal welfare and art in a new project TBA. Em is currently composing her second musical and has singles soon to be released. Watch this space! A great encourager of the arts, Em also loves to offer her services through teaching, songwriting and composing for other artists and for film, editing, directing, and creative consultancy.
Reviews
“The Master”? Maybe, if you know you can back it up. EM does and does it all, maybe like no one you’ve ever seen. Her original songs are excellent, the arrangements masterful, the band killer. She is a non-stop ball of frenetic but focused energy. She crawls across the stage and the floor gripping the mic. She doesn’t play the piano, she attacks it. She uses her voice as an instrument in creative ways to transform each number. Maybe the best 10 bucks you ever spent.” – Santa Monica Daily Press
“EM The Master joins artists such as Tori Amos and Lady Gaga in giving a voice to those who need it most.” – Hard Rock Café
“A rising music star.” – Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global / Medium Magazine
“Em Hoggett is one of the freshest faces on the cabaret scene. Very powerful.” – Broadway Baby
“Her songs have a strong flavour of Kander and Ebb, and a similar sense of grinning through the darkness.” – The Scotsman
“I’ve never seen someone play the piano behind their back before, quite a mean feat.” – Broadway Baby
“One of the best performers you’ll ever see, bar none.” – Santa Monica Daily Press