Steven Elisha
cello
Steven Elisha is recognized as a cellist “in the front ranks of his generation’s musicians.” He performs throughout the United States and internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He first attracted attention at the age of fifteen as a student of Luis Garcia-Renart when he gave solo performances with the Albany and Schenectady (New York) Symphonies. Mr. Elisha’s New York debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and recent premiere performance of Cry of the Dove, a cello concerto written for him by his sister, Adrienne Elisha, received critical acclaim.
As an honorary member and returned guest of the Beijing Cello Society, Mr. Elisha has extensively concertized and taught master classes in conservatories throughout mainland China. He has also performed and taught throughout Europe, Brazil, Israel, Norway and the United States. Featured appearances include solos with the Beijing Central Philharmonic and the Symphonies of Beijing, Xian, Jinan, and Canton (mainland China), Toledo Symphony, Connecticut Chamber Orchestra, and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony.
Mr. Elisha holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University School of Music where he was a student of distinguished cellist Janos Starker, and a Master of Music degree from Yale University School of Music where he was a student of and Teaching Fellow for Aldo Parisot.
Steven Elisha presently teaches at Washburn University as Artist in Residence. He is the Principal Cellist with the Topeka Symphony and has recently been named Director of the Topeka Youth Symphony. Additionally, Mr. Elisha is on the faculty at Pittsburg State University and conducts master classes, workshops and residencies throughout the United States. He has served on the faculties of the Bergen Conservatory (Norway), where he was interim Co-Principal of the Bergen Philharmonic, the University of Toledo (Ohio) and Connecticut College. He performs at the Sunflower Music Festival, the Colorado Music Festival (Assistant Principal), and the Harald Sæverud Quartet Program at the Pierre Monteux School. Mr. Elisha has recorded for Delos and Musical Heritage Society, including a Grammy-nominated MHS recording of New England piano trios. He is currently developing a PBS pilot for his innovative Mr. Cello Stories. As a Heartland Arts Fund artist, Mr. Elisha performs with Mots-Arté, a chamber-poetry duo and in the Elaris Duo, with violinist Larisa Elisha. Recently selected for the Kansas Touring Program, the Elaris Duo has also been awarded “Musicians of the Year 2003” by the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs. Recent performances have included solo appearances with the Gulf Coast, Topeka Symphony and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestras. |
|