Recognized by Janos Starker as a cellist “in the front ranks of his generation’s musicians,” Steven Elisha 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. Elisha’s New York debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and premiere performance of Cry of the Dove (a cello concerto written by his sister, Adrienne Elisha) received critical acclaim.
As an honorary member and returned guest of the Beijing Cello Society, Steven 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, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Topeka Symphony, Gulf Coast Symphony and the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Dr. Elisha holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University School of Music where he was a student of distinguished cellist Janos Starker, a Master of Music degree from Yale University School of Music where he was a student of and Teaching Fellow for Aldo Parisot, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. Dr. Elisha 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), Connecticut College and Pittsburg State University.
Currently, Dr.Elisha is the Director of String Studies at Washburn University, Principal Cellist of the Topeka Symphony, Principal Cellist of the Wichita Grand Opera and Conductor of the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra. Elisha was also the Artistic Director/ Conductor of the Lawrence Chamber Orchestra. He and his wife, Dr. Larisa Elisha, violinist are co-founders of the Elaris Duo, Elaris Duo & Friends Chamber Music Series and the WU Elaris Music Academy. Dr. Elisha regularly gives master classes, workshops and residencies throughout the United States, including his fun-loving andinnovative Mr. Cello Storiesprogram for audiences of all ages. He performs regularly at music festivals throughout the country. Dr. Elisha has recorded for Delos and Musical Heritage Society, including a Grammy-nominated MHS recording of New England piano trios.
The Elaris Duo,recipients of the highly coveted 2008 Kansas Governor’s Arts Award in the category Artist, was also awarded a Chamber Music America Residency Grant for 2005-2006, “Musicians of the Year 2003” by the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs and selected for the Kansas Arts on Tour Program roster. The Elaris Duo’s debut CD, DUO VIRTUOSO, released on MSR-Classics Recordings, is featured in Fanfare Magazine. The duo recently appeared as featured soloists with the Taiwan National Arts Orchestra in the famed National Hall. Recent performances have included recitals at the Bergen International Festival, The Grieg Conservatory of Music (Norway) and solo appearances with the Gulf Coast, Sunflower Festival Chamber Orchestra, Topeka Symphony and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestras.
“...in the front ranks of his generation’s musicians” - Janos Starker
