Short Biography

Ellie Welker, a Taiwan-born violist, began her musical journey at age 5 with piano before transitioning to viola at 9. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance from Taipei National University of the Arts in 2018 and completed a Graduate Certificate at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music under Karen Dreyfus in 2022.

 

Since then, Ellie has performed globally, winning the Southwest Symphony Solo Competition and collaborating with artists like JJ Lin, Christopher Young, and Zedd. Notable venues include the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Barclays Center, and Accor Arena Paris. She’s also passionate about teaching, having served as a string teaching artist at the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and established her own studio. Currently, she teaches privately with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.

 

In 2023, Ellie founded the California Youth Music Competition, providing young musicians a platform to showcase their talents. She now lives in Iowa City, Iowa, with her husband, who is completing his JD at the University of Iowa, and her son. Ellie continues to balance her performing and teaching careers while exploring new musical opportunities.