Elizabeth Askren

Franco-American conductor Elizabeth Askren enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, artistic director, and educator. Equally at home with symphonic orchestras and opera, she has conducted throughout Europe and North America and has recently debuted with the Romanian National Opera of Cluj, the Dallas Opera orchestra, and the Toulon Opera orchestra. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of TOA - Transylvanian Opera Academy, an innovative professional development and insertion program offering international-level mentoring and performance opportunities to exceptional young talents in the field of Opera. As an educator she has over a decade of international experience in teaching masterclasses, guest speaking, leading outreach projects, conducting youth orchestras, and serving on juries and artistic committees. A laureate of several international competitions and distinctions, she regularly figures in the national press, both in Europe (France Musique, Radio France International, Revista Sinteza, TVR…) and more recently in the US (PBS Newshour, WQXR blog…).