Ellen Ruth Rose

Ellen Ruth Rose is a Lecturer in Music at the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in viola performance and contemporary music. She is a core member of Empyrean Ensemble (UC Davis’ flagship new music ensemble) and Earplay (San Francisco-based contemporary ensemble), and collaborates with groups like Santa Cruz New Music Works and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. Her performances span international festivals including Cologne Triennial, Berlin Biennial, and Venice Biennial.

Education:

• Master’s in Performance, Juilliard School
• Artist Diploma, Northwest German Music Academy (Detmold)
• Bachelor’s with Honors in English and American History & Literature, Harvard University

Research focuses on expanding the viola’s repertoire through premieres of works by Northern California composers, including Kurt Rohde, Pablo Ortiz, and Miguel Galperin. She organized UC Davis’ Violafest! (2003), a festival showcasing viola solos and chamber works.

Awards include the 1998 German Recording Critics’ Prize for her Wergo CD featuring Caspar Johannes Walter’s chamber music. Current activities include directing Earplay’s virtual performances and mentoring UC Davis graduate composers like Josiah Tayag Catalan.