Susanne Van Els

Susanne van Els is a Dutch classical musician born in 1963. Originally a violist, she had a successful career as a soloist and chamber musician. She co-founded several influential ensembles, including the Ives Ensemble and Sinfonietta Amsterdam. Susanne was also a member of the Schönberg Ensemble from 1990 to 2009 and premiered numerous new works composed for her. Notably, she performed the Dutch premiere of Ligeti's solo viola sonata and recorded it for Harmonia Mundi. After retiring from active performance in 2009, she transitioned into education, serving as the Head of Classical Music at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague until 2015 and later at Conservatorium Maastricht until 2017. Her work in education emphasizes freedom and trust, aiming to foster excellence in music education.

In her discography, Susanne van Els is featured in various classical albums, including recordings of Ligeti's "Lux aeterna" and works by Milhaud, Ysaÿe, and Hindemith. Her contributions to classical music extend beyond performance to educational leadership, where she continues to be involved in projects like the "Strengthening Music in Society" initiative, focusing on enhancing music education and its impact on society.

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