Labeled “explosive” by Strad Magazine, new music champion Elizabeth Weisser Helgeson is the violist and President of the Talea Ensemble. She has performed to critical acclaim all over the world including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, LSO St. Lukes, Wiener Konzerthaus while having performed at a wide variety of festivals including Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt (Germany), Wien Modern (Austria), Contempuls (Czech Republic) Sacrum Profanum (Poland), Kneisel Hall (US), the Newport Jazz Festival (US) among many others. Ms. Weisser collaborates regularly with a wide range of artists and has worked closely with composers ranging from Pierre Boulez to John Zorn. With her duo partner, violist John Pickford Richards, she performs in Viola Monster, playing newly penned works for two violas. She is also a member of the IRIS Orchestra in Germantown, TN. Ms. Weisser holds a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory, Masters degree Mannes College and an Artist Diploma from SUNY Purchase where she was in residence with the iO Quartet. She has recorded for Mode Records, Bridge, Tzadik, Wergo, Innova, and New World Records.