ELLEN GRAVES
Violinist. Educator. Collaborator.
“I believe music is a form of deep listening — to each other, to our histories, and to the world around us. I’m always searching for connection, clarity, and surprise.”
Ellen Graves is a violinist known for her expressive solo playing, adventurous collaborations, and dedication to music education. Lauded for her “emotional clarity,” “magnetic presence,” and “fearless musical imagination”, she is a two-time recipient of the Chamber Music Northwest Fellowship and winner of the Tarisio Emerging Artist Prize. Whether performing contemporary chamber music or mentoring young artists in her private studio, she brings warmth, precision, and curiosity to every musical setting. She appears regularly as a soloist, collaborator, and clinician across the U.S.
Upcoming Events
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Twilight Recital: Works for Solo Violin
An intimate solo program exploring the lyrical and the bold—from Bach to Bacewicz.
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Bach to the Future: Baroque Meets Contemporary
A vibrant recital merging historical techniques with new voices in contemporary violin music.
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Course Offerings
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Practice That Works: Building Smart Habits
This session demystifies practice by giving students clear, actionable strategies to take home. We’ll explore warm-up routines, chunking, goal setting, mindful repetition, and how to troubleshoot tricky passages without getting stuck. Using demonstration, guided breakout work, and discussion, we help students connect their practice goals with their musical aspirations. Especially helpful for young musicians balancing…
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Unlocking Expression: Phrasing and Interpretation for Strings
This workshop helps students deepen their expressive voice by exploring phrasing as a creative and interpretive tool. Through live coaching, call-and-response exercises, and peer feedback, participants learn how to shape lines, highlight structural moments, and make musical decisions with intention. We’ll study examples from classical and contemporary repertoire and examine how tone, bow speed, vibrato,…