Biography:

Elektra Kurtis, Violinist and composer of Greek origin, Elektra Kurtis-Stewart was raised in Poland. She graduated from the Warsaw Conservatory, and Finnish Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki.

She has performed throughout the US, Europe and Finland in numerous chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras, ethno-music ensembles (Greek and Gypsy music), including her own group, Ensemble Elektra, a world jazz improvisational ensemble. Some of the ensembles that Elektra has performed with include Warsaw Grand Opera Orchestra, "Yia Sou" (an improvisational World Music Ensemble), Connecticut Opera, Bronx and Brooklyn Philharmonic, New England Symphonic Ensemble.

Elektra performed in concerts, theatrical and television productions, radio broadcasts and recorded the music of notable Finnish composers such as Edward Vesala and Toni Edelman. She has worked with such stellar artists as Lester Bowie, Gerry Mulligan, Paquito d'Rivera, Lionel Hampton ,Shirley Horn, Ray Barreto, Max Roach, and the notable arabic music master Simon Shaheen. She toured with the legendary Cuban artist Israel "Cachao" Lopez, and performed the music of contemporary composers such as Anthony Davis, John Zorn, Akua Dixon and Carman Moore in venues such as the Knitting Factory, the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Apollo Theatre. She has also been a member of a Greek traditional music group under the leadership of guitarist Vangelis Fampas, and appeared in the New York tri-state area with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, Hudson Valley, Greenwich, Longar Ensemble and Harlem Festival symphony orchestras. Elektra played in trombonist Craig Harris' jazz, hip-hop, rap, poetry and song project in Paris and participated in a performance in 1997 with Nona Hendrix and Erica Badu, among others. In 2002 /03 she appeared in concerts with Henry Threadgill’s Aggregation Orb and Butch Morris’ Skyscraper.

Most recently Elektra performed as guest artist with a world music group Drum Freaks in Warsaw, Poland.

Recordings include Steve Coleman's double CD Genesis &The Opening of the Way (BMG), and her own recording, Ensemble Elektra The Book of Time (Milo Records, 2000) and AFROdite’s Smile (MR, 2005)

Summary of Experience

Twenty years of teaching violin to students ages 3 to adult both privately and in school programs. Duties have included individual as well as group lessons, using elements of Suzuki method. Over twenty years of performing experience with professional orchestras: opera, symphony, chamber music, improvised and ethno-music ensembles, Television and Radio.

Occupational Objective

My teaching goals very closely parallel my personal musical aspirations:

1. Helping my students to realize their fullest potential.
2. Better understanding of self through performance.
3. Sense of discipline.
4. See and seek new horizons and objectives through music.

Teaching Experience

1994 to present:
Hoff-Barthelson School of Music, Scarsdale, NY Suzuki and standard mehod, ages 3-14.

1992 - Present:
Harlem School of the Arts. Suzuki and standard method, ages 3-16.

1989 - 1997
Diller-Quale School of Music. Suzuki mehod, ages 3-14.

1988 - 1989
Turtle Bay School of Music. Violin instruction for ages 3 to adult, using the Suzuki method for the youngest beginners.

1987 - Present
Mind Builders Creative Art Center. Developed a violin training program for ages 3 - 17 using the Suzuki method combined with standard.

1985 - 1986
Helsinki, Finland. "Kantele" School of Music. Suzuki method, ages 4 -7.

1984 - 1986
Helsinki, Finland. Pelimann's Elementary School. Program sponsored by Helsinki Cultural Department. Teaching children from a music talent class, ages 9 and 10. Semi-private lessons. The semester completed with a show of solo and group performances.

1984 - 1986
Helsinki, Finland. Elementary School of Vuosaari. Teaching private and semiprivate lessons to children from talent music classes, ages 7 - 12. The semiprivate lessons have served to stimulate and motivate my students to play the violin and practice at home. I used the book of Ms. Usma "Iloinen Viuluniekka" for the beginners and with more advanced students standard books etudes and small pieces for two or three violins or violin and piano.

1981 - 1982
Kirkkonummi, Finland. Teaching violin to ages 9 - 13 at a private music school.

1980 - 1982
Steiner school of Helsinki, Finland. Private lessons for advanced students ages 11 and 12 Continuing the school's policy of cultivating each student's personality through the arts.

Performance Experience

1987 - Present
Freelanced with several symphony orchestras in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

1989 - 1987
Several jazz and modern music festivals ( as leader of ensemble). Several ethno-music concerts (as side musician).

1985 - 1986
Helsinki, Finland. Kapyla Chamber Orchestra. Concertmistress. The orchestra specialized in contemporary music repertory, under direction of Luis Ramirez.

1981 - 1982
Played with Kirkkonummi Chamber Orchestra.

1979 - 1983
Sibelius Academy of Music. Helsinki, Finland. Played with the symphony orchestra.

1978 - 1979
Warsaw, Poland. Opera Theatre Orchestra full time position.

Highlights of Television Performance Experience

1986
Helsinki TV. Recorded music to this channel's music programs.

1980 - 1985
Performed in music programs on channel Helsinki MTV.

1985
Played with Sibelius Academy String Ensemble on channel Helsinki TV1.

Educational Background

May 1992
New York, NY. Completed the Diller-Quale pedagogy course with teacher Marjory Duncalfe.

May 1989
New York, NY. Graduated from the School for Strings Suzuki Teacher Training Program. Teacher: Louise Behrend.

May 1986
Helsinki, Finland. Bachelor of Music degree from Sibelius Academy of Music. Degree in performance and education. Instrument: violin. Teachers: Yoshiko Arai, Jouko Ignatius.

April 1986
Kerava, Finland. Suzuki European Workshop with Dr. Sinichi Suzuki.