Elizabeth
Sommers
fiddle, viola d’arco, violin, renaissance violin
Roots
I grew up in Rochester, New York.
Study
Seeking a thorough and challenging education in early music, I came to the Schola at the age of eighteen. Before that, I had studied at the Jacobs School of Music for a year.
Professional
I am very happy with my bachelor’s degree, and I still want to get a master’s. I am very happy that I have more and more opportunities to perform.
Why
It was an obvious choice. A passion like mine demands to be lived out.
Elective Affinities
I am especially inspired by the poetry of Seamus Heaney and Rainer Maria Rilke, proofreading and translation work, autumn walks, rainy weather, and the sound of bagpipes.





2026
May
Fleuster une chanson
Song & Dance in Attaingnant's PrintsSat Klosterkirche Dornach
Sun Barfüsserkirche Basel
June
Ach, wie grausam – A que vile
Songs for a mysterious ladySa Nydeggkirche, Bern
Su Barfüsserkirche, Historisches Museum Basel
September
Quodlibet
Puzzles, fun and gamesKirche Reigoldswil &
Barfüsserkirche Basel
October
The Queen’s Singers
The extravagant court chapel of the TudorsMartinskirche
Basel
November
Byrd & the Baron
A secret ChristmasBarfüsserkirche
Historisches Museum Basel