Elsa Nilsson

Elsa's earliest memories of composition came in the form of improvising new melodies while running barefoot on oceanside cliffs in Sweden. She studied classical piano before switching to flute and delving into the world of jazz/world/new music performance and composition in college. Moved to commit to composition after discovering the deep and clear connections between folk musics found all over the world, she decided to pursue writing music that showcases that human connection, both for her own ensembles and other groups as well.

Elsa's deep connection to nature led her to a compositional methodology of seeking out a physical source of inspiration (forests, waterfalls, protest marches, visual art), improvising there and recording the process/product. Afterward, these musical seeds are brought to the piano to flesh out harmony/structure. Once she feels the piece is nearing completion, it is brought to the ensemble for analysis and additions/editing. Her music is composed with specific