A mesmerizing union of violin and voice, spanning continents and centuries in a harmonious celebration of musical diversity.
June Bender and Elise Mark unite as "Bow & Breath," an with enchanting concert intertwining the emotive strains of violin and voice. Renowned for their diverse musical personas, June’s multifaceted violin prowess, spanning classical to Irish folk, converges seamlessly with Elise's transcendent vocal range, praised in opera houses worldwide.
Their collaboration illuminates compositions by Clarke, Holst, Villa-Lobos, and more, transcending continents and centuries. June’s affiliations with ensembles like Unseen Rain and Belleville Quartet blend with Elise’s rich opera history, forging a performance that resonates across genres.
"Bow & Breath" promises an immersive journey, showcasing their joint passion for music’s universal language. Prepare for a captivating fusion of talents, exuding the essence of human connection through artistry.
Concert Series Dates
Saturday, April 13th at 5pm — The Fairmount Concert Series at the Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church in Fairmount, Philadelphia
Saturday, May 4th at 7pm — The Arts Nest in Lake Huntington, NY
Saturday, May 11th at 7pm — The Perch Studios in East Kensington, Philadelphia
RESCHEDULED: Saturday, July 13th at 7pm — The Arts Nest in Lake Huntington, NY
About June
June Bender is a violinist, teacher, and composer from Philadelphia. In addition to freelancing as a classical violinist, June stays active playing many styles of music including Irish fiddle, tango, swing jazz, and freely improvised music. She founded, leads, and writes original music for the group Unseen Rain, which released their debut album, Out Beyond, in 2019. June performs regularly with the Belleville Quartet, Morris String Quartet, and numerous regional orchestras including Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, VoxAmaDeus, PA Philharmonic, and Reading Symphony. June maintains an active private violin studio, and teaches at The Baldwin School.
About Elise
"[G]raced with the pipes of a goddess" (River Reporter), Elise is "making her mark" (Voce di Meche) in the classical and operatic world and beyond. She is equally adept at performing traditional operatic repertoire, contemporary opera and art song, and musical theater. She has performed with companies and theaters including Steamboat Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, New Amsterdam Opera, Long Island Lyric Opera, Delaware Valley Opera of New York, Concert Operetta Theater, ENA Ensemble, East Passyunk Opera Project, Wilmington Concert Opera, Penn Square Music Festival, Teatro Mancinelli, and the Tri-State Chorale. At her home-base in Philadelphia, Elise produces intimate artistic experiences that bring people together through art and creativity. Her performances resonate deeply, evoking profound connections through her authentic artistry, inviting audiences into a shared, heartfelt experience.