Flutist Elivi Varga performs as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond. She teaches music history classes at Temple University and Rowan University, is the flute instructor at the Community College of Philadelphia, and maintains a private flute studio. Her CD, Silver Tunes: Music for Flute and Organ, includes world-premiere recordings of music by Augusta Read Thomas and Lowell Liebermann, and is broadcast regularly on Swedish Radio. Her music writing has appeared in The Flutist Quarterly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and elsewhere. She studied music at Goucher College, the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, and earned a doctorate of musical arts at the University of Illinois.

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

DMA, Flute Performance and Literature
Doctoral Minor, Music Theory
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007

MM, Flute Performance
Illinois State University, 2004

Post-Graduate Certificate
Franz Liszt Academy of Music (Budapest, Hungary), 1998

BA, Flute Performance, with Honors in Music
Goucher College, 1994

UNIVERSITY-LEVEL TEACHING

Temple University, Adjunct Professor, 2019 – present
Exploring Music
Shakespeare and Music
The Sound of Philadelphia

Rowan University, Adjunct Professor, 2017 – present
History of Popular Music

Community College of Philadelphia, Adjunct Professor, 2011-present
Applied Flute

Alvernia University, Adjunct Professor, 2011
American Popular Music

Southeastern Louisiana University, Adjunct Professor, 2009 – 2010
Introduction to Music
Applied Flute and Studio Class
Woodwind Techniques

Illinois State University, Visiting Assistant Professor, 2008
Applied Flute and Studio Class
Chamber Winds

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Teaching Assistant, 2005 – 2006
Applied flute
Flute Methods

Illinois State University, Graduate Assistant, 2002 – 2004
Applied Flute
Chamber Winds

OTHER TEACHING

Private Flute Teacher, 1994 – present
Camp Batawagama, Crystal Falls, MI, Flute Instructor, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2017 – present
Settlement Music School, Philadelphia, PA, Faculty Member, 2000 – 2002 and 2010 – 2018
Friends’ Central School, Wynnewood, PA, Faculty Member, 2015 – 2017
The Learning Arts, Chester, NY, Teaching Artist, 2012 – 2015
Louisiana State University Academy, Baton Rouge, LA, Flute Instructor, 2009
Illinois Summer Youth Music, Urbana, IL, Extended Faculty Member, 2005, 2007, 2008

PUBLISHED REVIEWS & ARTICLES

“Elaine Shaffer’s Artistry Shines in the Curtis Institute Archives.” The Flutist Quarterly, Spring 2018.

“Wanamaker Organ Day Benefits a City Treasure.” Philadelphia Inquirer. June 4, 2016.

“’Shoot the Conductor’: Witty, readable memoir of a musical life.” Book review of Anshel Brusilow and Robin Underdahl’s Shoot the Conductor: Too Close to Monteux, Szell, and Ormandy. Philadelphia Inquirer. Sept. 6, 2015.

“David Byrne, Talking Music.” Book review of David Byrne’s How Music Works. Philadelphia Inquirer. Dec. 9, 2012.

“John Cage’s evolution to silence, beyond.” Book review of Kay Larson’s Where the Heart Beats. Philadelphia Inquirer. Aug. 5, 2012.

“Into musical realms familiar and new.” Book review of Alex Ross’s Best Music Writing 2011. Philadelphia Inquirer. Jan. 15, 2012.

“Mostly Music from Philadelphia.” Concert preview. Philadelphia City Paper Blog. Jan. 14, 2011.

“Tonight: Jeffrey Khaner, flute & Charles Abramovic, piano.” Concert preview. Philadelphia City Paper Blog. Dec. 9, 2010.

“Marina Piccinini and Benjamin Hochman at the American Philosophical Society.” Concert review. Philadelphia City Paper Blog. Nov. 8, 2010.

“Takács Quartet at Perelman Theater.” Concert review. Philadelphia City Paper Blog. Oct. 19, 2010.

RECORDINGS

Silver Tunes: Music for Flute and Organ. CD. Sterling Records, 2011.
Where the Cross is Made. Nancy Van de Vate. CD. Vienna Modern Masters, 2006.
Song Books: The Music of David Maslanka and Daron Hagen. CD. Albany Records, 2004.

PERFORMING: Selected Recitals

Bucks County Performing Arts Center, Yardley, PA, 2020
St. Lars Church, Linköping, Sweden, 2019
Ethical Society, Philadelphia, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Ivy Hall, Philadelphia, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA, 2017
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2017
All Saints’ Church, Rehoboth Beach, DE, 2016
St. Peters Church, Västervik, Sweden, 2015 and 2014
Gränsö Castle, Västervik, Sweden, 2013
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Wayne, PA, 2013
Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, PA, 2013
Vimmerby and Misterhult, Sweden, 2012
Olivet-Covenant Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (concerto soloist), 2012
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, 2012
Goucher College, Towson, MD, 2012
St. Stephen’s Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 2012
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Wayne, PA, 2011 & 2012
St. Clara Church, Stockholm, Sweden, 2011
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, 2010
Gamleby Church, Sweden, 2010
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 2009
Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 2008
Cultural Center, Åland, Finland, 2007
Con Amore Chamber Music Series, Västervik, Sweden, 2007
College of William & Mary, Ewell Concert Series, Williamsburg, VA, 2002

PERFORMING: Selected Chamber and Orchestra Affiliations

Lyra Ensemble, 2016 – present
Germantown Flute Ensemble, 2016 – present
Haverford-Bryn Mawr College Chorale Orchestra, 2019
Philomusica Chorale, 2017
Reading Choral Society, 2016
Prometheus Chamber Orchestra, 2014
Philadelphia Wind Symphony, 2011 – 2012
Ambler Choral Society (PA), 2011
Arbel Choir (PA), 2011
Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, 2010
Opera Seabrook (NJ), 2010
Louisiana Sinfonietta, 2010
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, 2009 – 2010
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (LA), 2009 – 2010
Illinois Symphony Orchestra, 2003 – 2009

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Board Member, Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia, 2013 – present
Adjudicator, New Jersey Music Teachers Assoc., Young Musicians Competition, 2019
Clinician, Masterclass at Episcopal Academy, 2017
Adjudicator, San Diego Flute Guild Young Artist Competition, 2016
Clinician, Workshop on flute extended techniques, Flute Fest of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 2012
Adjudicator, Flute Fest of Southeastern Pennsylvania Competition, 2012
Secretary, Louisiana Flute Society, 2008 – 2010
Panelist, Pedagogy Panel, Louisiana Flute Society Festival, New Orleans, LA, 2010
Adjudicator, Young Artist Competition, Louisiana Flute Society Festival, New Orleans, LA, 2010
Adjudicator, Honor Band flute auditions, Hammond, LA, 2009
Critique Coach, Louisiana Flute Society Festival, Hammond, LA, 2009
Presenter, Flute Lectures, University Laboratory School, Baton Rouge, LA, 2009
Adjudicator, Louisiana Music Educators Association flute auditions, Hammond, LA, 2009
Adjudicator, Iroquois County Solo & Ensemble Contest, Watseka, IL, 2008
Adjudicator, Conservatory of Central Illinois Chamber Music Festival, Champaign, IL, 2008
Clinician, Woodwind and Brass Chamber Music Symposium, Allerton, IL, 2006
Dean Search Committee Member, College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, 2004
Assistant Coordinator, “Women in Music” conference, ISU, 2003 – 2004
Editor, School of Music Alumni Newsletter, ISU, 2003 – 2004
Graduate Music Student Representative, College of Fine Arts College Council, ISU, 2003 – 2004
Adjudicator, Illinois Music Educators Association flute auditions, 2003
Chamber Music Coordinator, Settlement Music School, PA, 2000 – 2002
Manager, Goucher College Chamber Symphony, Goucher College, 1991 – 1994
Clinician, Workshop on Art and Music History, Västervik High School, Västervik, Sweden, 1994
Intern, American Symphony Orchestra League, Washington DC, 1993

AWARDS

Recording Grant, American Scandinavian Association, Washington DC, 2011
Teaching Assistantship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, 2005 – 2006
Graduate Assistantship, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 2002 – 2004
Honors in Music, Goucher College, Towson, MD, 1994
Rosenberg Prize in Music, Goucher College, Towson, MD, 1994
Rosenberg Scholarship in Music, Goucher College, Towson, MD, 1991 – 1994
First Place, Young Artists’ Competition, Fort Washington, MD, 1992