Elisabet Dijkstra
I was born in South Africa and have also planted roots in Kent, Doha and Paris. Currently based in Newcastle, I am studying towards a Masters degree in Composition at Durham University.
My violin journey started in 2008. I studied at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and later joined the Qatar Music Academy upon re-locating to Doha in 2014. In 2018, I moved to Durham where I obtained a first-class degree in BA Music, studying a range of musical topics and sub-disciplines that included music analysis, the history and philosophy of music, and composition. In 2020, I completed my Erasmus year in Paris, studying Musicology at the Sorbonne University. I am a versatile and experienced performer with extensive orchestral and chamber music experience. Also interested in improvisation, I am a keen member of the Durham-based New Arts Ensemble.
Since 2018, I have been involved with Andy Hamilton’s music and philosophy project, The Aesthetics of Imperfection, which explores notions of spontaneity, flaws and the unfinished across different kinds of musical performance.
I began teaching violin, piano and music theory to young students in 2015. Along with hard work and enjoyment, an attitude of embracing imperfection permeates the way I approach playing and teaching music. Working with people of all ages and abilities to accomplish their musical goals brings me great joy, and I believe that anyone can love music!
Learn more about the lessons Elisabet offers by visiting our "Instruments" page