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 an orchestral soloist, recitalist or chamber musician, she has performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Recent solo appearances have included performances of the Beethoven Violin Concerto and Schumann’s Fantasy Opus 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 especially for her by Nicolas Bacri, as well as perform her New York debut recital in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in May 2009.
A passionate chamber musician, Elissa has performed at important international music festivals such as Open Chamber Music at 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.
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.
Dedicated to the future and appreciation of contemporary art music, Elissa co-founded the Arcos Chamber Orchestra with Artistic Director John-Edward Kelly in 2007. This touring group 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 and is currently completing her graduate studies at The Juilliard School in New York City.
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ELISSA CASSINI' S RESUME
Education
-Juilliard School, Master of Music--------------------------------------2006-08
-New England Conservatory, Graduate Study---------------------2004-06
-Indiana University, Bachelor of Music------------------------------2001-04
Performance Highlights
- Ravinia Festival, Chicago -Stern Auditorium, Carnegie
- Alice Tully, Lincoln Center -Jordan Hall, Boston
- Paul Hall, Juilliard School -Davis Hall,International House, NYC
- Beethoven Concerto and Schumann Phantasie in Angers, France
- Concertmaster, Arcos Chamber Orchestra, European Tour/CD, Neos Musik
Awards and Prizes
-First Prize, Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation, New York-----------2007
-Artist-in-Residence Fellowship, International House-------------2007
-Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship, Juilliard School------------2006
-Finalist - Washington International Competition------------------2005
-Performer’s Certificate, Indiana University------------------------2003
-Winner, Kuttner Competition for String Quartets----------------2002
-Gold Medal, « Royaume de la Musique » France---------------1997
-Third Prize, Concours Jeunesses Musicales, Bucharest--------1993
Teachers -Robert Mann-------------------------------------------------------------2008
-Ronald Copes------------------------------------------------------------2006-08
-Donald Weilerstein------------------------------------------------------2004-06
-Miriam Fried--------------------------------------------------------------2000-04
Masterclasses Itzhak Perlman, Ivry Gitlis, Steven Isserlis, Anthony Marwood, Pamela Frank, Mihaela Martin,
Shmuel Ashkenazy, Andras Keller, Menahem Pressler, Emerson Quartet, Cleveland Quartet.
Festivals
-Steans Institute at the Ravinia Festival---------------------------2005 & 2007
-IMS Prussia Cove (England)-----------------------------------------2006 & 2008
-Stift Festival (Netherlands)-------------------------------------------2007
-Perlman Music Program-----------------------------------------------2006 & 2007
-Kneisel Hall---------------------------------------------------------------2004
-Yellow Barn Music Festival-------------------------------------------2003