Elise Haukeness
Violinist & Violist
Elise Haukenes is an artist of boundless creative proportions. Born and raised in Falls Church, Virginia she is an award-bearing violinist, accomplished contemporary and ballet dancer and nationally ranked gymnast. As a violinist, she has been top prizewinner and finalist in several concerto competitions, invited to perform at Carnegie Hall and premier newly commissioned work at the Kennedy Center. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, studying with Margaret Batjer, and a minor in dance. She went on to earn her Master of Music degree from Rice University under the tutelage of Kathleen Winkler.
Elise has participated in many esteemed summer festivals, including the Pacific Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the Heifetz Institute of Music. Currently she performs during the summers as a member of the Colorado Music Festival and Britt Festival Orchestra. She won her position as Associate Principal Second Violin of the Phoenix Symphony in 2024.
In addition to her orchestral career, she is deeply inspired by the relationship between music and movement and is passionate about telling meaningful stories through interdisciplinary projects. Her enthusiasm for mixed media has been showcased through collaborations between USC’s Thornton School of Music and Kaufman school of Dance, where she was awarded their prestigious Discovery Scholar Grant for her specialized work in this field. This young artist has also integrated her violin playing with choreography in world premieres with Vitacca Ballet and Houston Contemporary Dance Company.