We are happy to announce that Elisabeth Harnik is our Konrad Boehmer Visiting Professor in 2026.
Elisabeth Harnik, an Austrian pianist and composer has created a multi-faceted body of work in the field of improvised music, interdisciplinary projects, radio works and contemporary compositional works. She studied classical piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, followed by composition studies with Beat Furrer.
Her compositions have been performed by numerous ensembles such as Schallfeld, RSO, PHACE, Platypus, Klangforum, Reconsil, “die reihe,” Kontrapunkte, Studio Dan, Trio Amos, Trio Eis, Trio Alba, Haydn Trio, Airborne Extended, Thürmchen Ensemble Cologne, Ensemble Tonfall of the Duisburg Philharmonic, Ensemble Crush Duisburg, Fidelio Trio London, Cantus Ensemble Zagreb, Ensemble mise-en NYC, Ensemble Argento NYC and Ensemble Offspring Sydney.
As an improviser she works within an electro-acoustic inspired sound world, using specific preparations and extended techniques while pushing the limitations of the piano.
She has worked worldwide with many internationally recognised representatives of the contemporary jazz scene (Harri Sjöström, Andrea Centazzo, Jaap Blonk, John Edwards, Tony Buck, Steve Swell, Jasna Jovićević, Zlatko Kaučič…) having long-standing musical friendships with the Chicago free scene (Ken Vandermark, Dave Rempis, Michael Zerang, Tim Daisy, Fred Lonberg-Holm…) or Joëlle Léandre among others.
She has received numerous scholarships and awards, most recently the Andrzej Dobrowolski Composition Prize from the Province of Styria (Austria).
Elisabeth Harnik received her DL Certificate from Oliveros (Center for Deep Listening at Rensselaer in Troy, New York ), in 2016.
