Emile de Roubaix started his initial violin training at the age of 10 with Madelein van Rooyen at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, and later completed the BMus and BMus.Hons degrees (cum laude) in violin performance at the University of Stellenbosch, receiving tuition from Louis van der Watt and Suzanne Martens respectively. In 2003 he was violinist of Trio Stellenbosch, who represented Stellenbosch University at the 30th International Week of the Universität für Darstellende Kunst und Musik in Graz, Austria.
In 2005 – 2007 Emile completed his MMus in viola performance (cum laude) with Predrag Katanic at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. He was awarded the RNCM Thomas Barratt viola prize, and was violist for the groups that received the 2006 & 2007 Granada Prize for mixed chamber music ensembles.
Subsequently he freelanced with various professional orchestras such as the Hallé, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, The English Concert, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and Glyndebourne Touring Opera.
He also worked extensively in Norway, with Bodø Sinfonietta, Tromsø Chamber Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, and toured Northern Norway with the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra.
Emile has been part of the viola faculty for the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival from 2012 – 2015. He teaches part-time and freelances professionally in and around Cape Town, where he is currently based.