Biography

Elsa is a Canberra-based singer, educator, and arts administrator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Classical Vocal Performance) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Communication) from the Australian National University in 2022, where she studied with Cheryl Barker, Peter Coleman-Wright, Sarah Mann, Tobias Cole, Ella Luhtasaari, and Sonia Anfiloff. In 2025, Elsa played Gretel in National Opera Canberra’s production of Hansel & Gretel, and was an Emerging Artist with The Song Company, following her participation in their 2024 and 2025 Apprentice Weeks. Since early 2024, she has sung with Igitur Nos Chamber Choir and Orchestra, including featuring as a soloist and chorister in their performances of Bach’s Easter and Ascension oratorios, as well as Fauré’s Requiem. Elsa has also performed in National Opera Canberra’s Suor Angelica (La Suora Infermiera), The Elixir of Love Pocket Opera (Gianetta), Die Zauberflöte Pocket Opera (Second Spirit) and La Clemenza di Tito (chorus), Cole’s Opera Salon’s Glorious! A Handel Celebration, Castrato, La serva padrona (Serpina), Handel’s Crusade [Rinaldo] (Almirena) and Dido & Aeneas (Second Woman/First Witch), Luminescence Chamber Singers’ Magnificat and their 2022 and 2021 Luminous Christmas concerts, Pacific Opera Studio’s Mozart Requiem, Don Giovanni Pocket Opera and St Paulus (chorus), Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s St John Passion and Messiah (chorus), Sydney Chamber Opera’s Victory Over the Sun (chorus), Canberra International Music Festival’s Choral Opposites concert, with the Canberra Bach Ensemble choir and The Oriana Chorale, and as a soloist for The Llewellyn Choir, Canberra Community Chorale, The Canberra Times 2023 Carols by Candlelight, and the 2024 Revisit Yesteryear @ Laggan festival. Elsa was a 2021 – 2023 Wesley Music Scholar, and has sung with the Choir of St Paul’s, Manuka, since early 2024, including featuring as a soloist and chorister in their performances of Haydn’s Jugendmesse and Kleine Orgelmesse. She is also Manager of the St Paul’s Children’s Choirs, drawing on her previous experience as Music Theory and Aural Skills Tutor for the ANU Open School of Music and Luminescence Children’s Choir, Administration Assistant for National Opera Canberra, Interim Coordinator for Luminescence Children’s Choir, and Production Intern, Assistant Artist Coordinator, Production Assistant and Acting Artist Coordinator for the Canberra International Music Festival. She has also worked on the ANU Schools of Music and Art & Design’s Operations Team, and with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s administration staff.

Awards

· Tall Foundation Award (Capital Arts Patrons’ Organisation’s open grant for an emerging artist to help
research techniques/themes for a body of work), 2024
· Cowra Eisteddfod 19 – 27 years Farleigh Vocal Solo Scholarship Runner Up, 2024
· Artsound FM ACT Young Virtuoso Awards Finalist, 2023 & 2024
· Peter & Lena Karmel Anniversary Prize in Music (for best graduating student of the ANU School of
Music who has displayed outstanding musical excellence throughout the course of their studies, and
has the potential to make an outstanding contribution as a musician), 2022
· Marjorie M. Kingston Prize for Creative Leadership in Music (for ANU students with a proven
willingness to make a difference in the world-at-large; and who show integrity, humility and generosity
in their creative practice), 2022
· ANU School of Music Bill Hyslop Prize for Voice, 2022
· Myrtle Thomas Scholarship (for outstanding academic achievement and contribution to the ANU School
of Music community throughout a female student’s studies), 2022
· CYO/ANU Friends of the School of Music Scholarship, 2019
· ANU Continuing & Intermediate German Embassy Prizes for German Language & Culture, 2018 & 2019
· ANU ANZCA Composition Prize (First Year), 2018
· ACT Organ School/Wesley Music Centre Organ Scholarship, 2017 – 2018
· St Mary MacKillop College Creative Arts Award, 2017
· St Mary MacKillop College Penola Faculty Awards for 5 out of 6 subjects, 2016 – 2017
· St Mary MacKillop Senior Scholarship for Academic Excellence, 2016 – 2017
· ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award, 2015
· Audrey Fagan Young Women’s Enrichment Grant, 2013

Get in touch

Elsa is always interested in collaborating, and joining ensembles and opera companies for various projects. If you would like to have a chat, especially about new music, Australian works, and pieces by women composers, do not hesitate to reach out!

elsahubermusic@gmail.com