Elissa Cassini
violin

Website:
www.elissacassini.com

French-American violinist Elissa Cassini carries a passion for music which transcends traditional boundaries of genre and repertoire on the instrument. Equally at home on the stage as orchestral soloist, recitalist or chamber musician, she has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Recent solo appearances have included performances of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Schumann’s Fantasy op.131 with the “Ensemble Orchestral des Voix de la Musique” in France. Next season will see her give the World Premiere of a violin concerto written for her by Nicolas Bacri, as well as perform her New York debut recital in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in May 2009.

Her numerous distinctions include 1st prize in the J. Dutka Foundation for the Arts Competition, the coveted “Performers Certificate” and Kuttner Quartet Award from Indiana University, as well as the Irene Diamond graduate fellowship from the Juilliard School. Ms. Cassini was also a top prizewinner in the Jeunesses Musicales Competition in Bucharest, Romania at the tender age of thirteen. An active chamber musician, Elissa has performed at important international music festivals such as Prussia Cove in England and the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, collaborating with some of the world’s most distinguished chamber musicians. This past season, she worked with Itzhak Perlman at the Perlman Music Program, in both summer and winter sessions. Dedicated to the future and appreciation of contemporary art music, Elissa co-founded the Arcos Chamber Orchestra in 2007 with Artistic Director John-Edward Kelly. This touring group of talented young musicians dedicates itself to the exposure of music by exceptional, if lesser known composers.


Elissa studied in Paris and Amsterdam prior to joining Miriam Fried’s renowned class at Indiana University, where she received her undergraduate degree. She also worked with Donald Weilerstein in Boston before completing her graduate studies at The Juilliard School in New York as a pupil of Ronald Copes and Robert Mann.