ELLA BEARD

Ella Beard (they/them) is a violist and teaching artist from Adelaide/Tarndanya and Brisbane/Meanjin, Australia, currently based in London, England. With a special interest in new music, Ella is most excited by music that tells diverse stories, connects communities, broadens perspectives, and has meaningful social impact.

Ella has performed in a variety of solo, chamber, and orchestral music contexts, including most recently at the Bang on a Can Loud Weekend, with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra, and Momentum Ensemble. They are also a member of When We ensemble, an experimental new music quintet, and are a regular guest artist in several chamber ensembles around Australia. In 2025, Ella will give premiere performances for Hear Us Now.

In addition to their work as a performer, Ella is passionate about bringing creative opportunities to the wider community through their work as a teaching artist. Ella is currently working at Wigmore Hall through the esteemed Trainee Music Leader scheme, working on a wide range of community music making initiatives. They have also been invited to work on several projects around Australia including The Nest, A Room of One's Own Workshops, and Lullaby Project Australia. Ella has also tutored violin and viola at the South Australian State Music Camp, and taught individual and group lessons at several schools.

In 2024, Ella was a performance fellow at the Bang on a Can Summer Festival, with Dots + Loops, and is an Upbeat Artist with Camerata. Previously, Ella was a participant in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra's inaugural Academy Program and Mentee with Connecting the Dots in Music. Ella is an alumni of the Australian Youth Orchestra.

Ella has studied at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the Elder Conservatorium of Music, undertaking tuition with Stephen King, Michele Walsh, and Caroline Henbest.

When not viola-in-hand, Ella likes to ride their bike, read, and explore the natural environment around them.