Dr. Elizabeth Askren

Biography

Elizabeth Askren is an Associate Professor Adjunct at Yale School of Music and the Director of the Yale Symphony Orchestra. She has earned acclaim for her virtuosic achievements and engages with audiences through her dynamic performances. A recipient of the OPERA America 2024 Opera Grant, she is known for her regular performances with prestigious opera houses and orchestras, including the Dallas Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera. Askren is the Music Director for Paola Prestini's Ford Foundation-funded opera, Sensorium Ex, which explores the intersection of AI, disability, and the human voice. She founded the Transylvanian Opera Academy in Romania, which has been featured in national media and collaborated with institutions such as the Paris Opera Academy. Additionally, she hosts the children’s edutainment series MaestraMagic! and published a comic book adaptation of The Magic Flute. Recognized as a master teacher with a significant impact on young artists, Askren has judged the inaugural La Maestra Competition for Women Conductors at the Paris Philharmonic and is a sought-after speaker on arts entrepreneurship, often appearing on platforms like PBS Newshour and NPR.

Research Interests