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Celebrating 64 Years of Inspired Music Making!

June 28 – August 2, 2025

SISTER SYNERGY: EMF STUDENT-SISTER DUO ISABEL AND EVELYN RUSHALL TAKE THE STAGE FOR AN EVENING OF CONCERTOS AND CONCERTMASTERING

The Eastern Music Festival (EMF) stands as a prestigious musical outlet for young, aspiring musicians seeking to refine their craft and immerse themselves in the world of harmonious melodies. However, some students embark on this transformative journey with a unique twist – they come as siblings, connected by shared musical passions and talents.

Among its attendees, a handful of students arrive at EMF with the fortune of being accompanied by a sibling. These sibling duos bring with them not only their individual talent but also an unparalleled synergy that echoes through their music, enriching the festival’s atmosphere with a unique touch.

Speaking of talent, we have a unique tale of two sisters here at EMF this season. The Rushall sisters, who hail from Flagstaff, Arizona, will be performing together in EMF’s July 27th Young Artists Orchestra performance. One sister, 18 year-old concerto competition winner Isabel Rushall, will be performing an epic violin solo of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, op. 21 (mvt. I). The other sister, 19 year-old Evelyn Rushall, will be acconpamying her and serving as the concertmaster for the evening.

We think what makes this evening even more special is that these two sisters will be leaders of the night and get the opporunity to shake hands at the podium in front of the audience. We had the opportunity to sit and and chat with the sisters earlier this week about their performance, and here is what they had to say about their experience and history as sibling peformers:

“My favorite part about being at EMF this summer is probably being able to spend more time with Evelyn because it’s so hard being away from her when she’s at college,” said Isabel. “We’re rooming together this summer which has given us even more time to be together.”

The Rushall sisters started playing the violin around the ages five and six. Since the day they picked up the instruments, they haven’t put them down. Their shared love for music formed a special camaraderie, where triumphs are celebrated and obstacles become stepping stones for growth. Witnessing their progress serves as motivation, pushing them to stretch their abilities and explore new horizons.

Evelyn just finished her first year at Northwestern University studying violin. Isabel looks forward to following in her sisters footsteps by studying violin at Peabody University this fall.

“We started playing at the same time. We both have a 13-year practice streak at this point. So we have practiced every day since we started playing,” said Isabel. “Our parents were super encouraging and they wanted us to get better and learn a little bit every day,” Evelyn added.

In the near future, the Rushall sisters have hopes to hold careers in music performance. Isabel hopes to one day become a professional orchestra musician, while Evelyn is intending on becoming a private music teacher that is mainly focused on teaching orchestra.

The sisters did not always see themselves pursuing careers in the world of music, but once they came to EMF everything changed. Isabel said, “I didn’t always want a future in music but coming to EMF last summer really changed my perspective on having a career in music.”

Their experiences at EMF have layed the foundation for a lasting love for classical performance, one that carries on throughout their lives, inspiring others and leaving a mark on the world of music.

Along with concerto winner Isabel, concerto winner Gina Gravagne (viola) and concerto winner Gabrielle Gans (violin) also have sisters joining them on stage in the orchestra who are both on cello, Gina’s sister Lydia Gravagne and Gabrielle’s sister Naomi Gans. Through these shared experiences, mutual encouragement, and unforgettable performances, these siblings leave the festival with hearts full of music and memories that will resonate with them for a lifetime.

The Eastern Music Festival’s legacy of transforming young musicians is enriched further by the presence of these remarkable siblings, and while we don’t have time to interview all of the siblings that come to EMF every summer, we know that having them creates a symphony of talent and love that has and continues to inspire generations to come.


By: Catharine Yoder, EMF Media and Communications Intern