Emma Lucy Gates was born to Jacob Forsberry Gates and Susa Young, in St. George, Utah Territory.
She was a granddaughter of Brigham Young and Lucy Bigelow Young.

Gates did not began her formal musical studies until the age of 12.
At age 14, she won a piano competition at an eisteddfod held in Salt Lake City.
She studied both violin and piano as well as vocal performance.
In 1898, she traveled to Göttingen, Germany to study.
The next year she began studies at the Berlin Conservatory, but later began private studies under Blanche Corelli.
Emma Lucy Gates was born to Jacob Forsberry Gates and Susa Young, in St. George, Utah Territory. She was a granddaughter of Brigham Young and Lucy Bigelow Young.
Gates did not began her formal musical studies until the age of 12. At age 14, she won a piano competition at an eisteddfod held in Salt Lake City. She studied both violin and piano as well as vocal performance. In 1898, she traveled to Göttingen, Germany to study. The next year she began studies at the Berlin Conservatory, but later began private studies under Blanche Corelli.
Emma Lucy Gates Bowen