Elizabeth Phelps

VIOLIN

A native of Hamden, CT, violinist Elizabeth “Libby” Phelps leads a diverse career on both baroque and modern violin. Currently based in Seattle, she regularly plays with the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and NOCCO. Before moving to Seattle, she served as principal second violin in the North Carolina Symphony from 2013 to 2018. During this time, she frequently performed as a soloist with the group and was sought after as a recitalist and chamber musician throughout the state. She also discovered her love of Historically Informed Performance and attended workshops with members of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and American Bach Soloists. She regularly plays with the Portland and Seattle Baroque Orchestras, and performs every year for the Salish Sea Early Music Festival. In 2018, she was invited to the Grand Tetons Music Festival to perform a recital with Jeannette Sorrell, harpsichordist and music director of Apollo’s Fire.

Prior to winning her position in the NC Symphony, Libby completed a four-year fellowship with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL, where she performed as concertmaster under Michael Tilson-Thomas, collaborated with Christian Tetzlaff and Paula Robison in chamber performances, and played in a masterclass for Jordi Savall. Other orchestral experiences include the Grant Park Orchestra of Chicago, the Verbier Festival Orchestra, the Lucerne Festival Academy, where she played under the baton of the late Pierre Boulez, and as guest concertmaster for the Auburn Symphony.

Libby received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Paul Kantor and Stephen Rose. On baroque violin, she has studied with Enrico Onofri, Marc Destrube, Elizabeth Field, Elizabeth Blumenstock, and David Wilson. She lives in Capitol Hill and is passionate about body awareness, art, and a good cup of coffee.