Biography

Sample audioclips from
Koljonen's first CD,
Heartbreak: Chopin,
Tchaikovsky, Debussy.

"Koljonen is one of the biggest talents I've heard in years," wrote Stephen Wigler of The Baltimore Sun. Recognized as one of the most celebrated violinists of her generation, Elissa Lee Koljonen has thrilled audiences and critics in over a hundred cities throughout the world. Ms. Koljonen first received international acclaim when she became the first recipient of the prestigious Henryk Szeryng Foundation Award and silver medalist of the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition. Her playing has been lauded by the Helsingin Sanomat as "sparkling, sensual and personal." Dan Tucker of the Chicago Tribune writes, "She displayed boundless technique and musicianship," and reports the Detroit News, "...Koljonen brings to her playing not just assured technique but unflinching purpose and confidence."

Ms. Koljonen has performed with major orchestras of the world, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic and the symphonies of Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Oregon, Dallas, Helsinki and Seoul. She has collaborated with such noted conductors as Neeme Jarvi, James DePriest, Andrew Litton, Louis Lane, Lawrence Foster, Eiji Oue, Richard Hickox, James Judd, Mattias Bamert and the late Bryden Thompson. Ms. Koljonen's engagements have taken her to some of the world's most important venues, among them the Vienna Musikverein, the Salzburg Mozarteum, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, London's Barbican Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Boston's Symphony Hall and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. As a recitalist, Koljonen has performed in many musical capitals including London, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Seoul, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York. A 2004 performance in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall was hailed with excellent critical review. Also an avid chamber musician, Ms. Koljonen appears regularly at festivals throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She garnered critical acclaim for her debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and her appearances with the London Mozart Players and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo in a special concert celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Dynasty.

Ms. Koljonen is a protégé of the great Aaron Rosand at the Curtis Institute of Music. Through his influence, she continues the legacy and tradition of Leopold Auer and his legendary school of violin playing. Ms. Koljonen and her husband, Roberto Diaz, live in Philadelphia.