Elisabeth Adkins performed The Lark Ascending with the Amadeus Orchestra on Sunday, September 16, 2012.

Elisabeth Adkins, Associate Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra, played Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending with the Amadeus Orchestra on Sunday, September 16, 2012.

After graduating from the University of North Texas, Elisabeth Adkins completed both a master’s degree and a doctorate at Yale, where she studied with Oscar Shumsky. In 1983 she was named associate concertmaster of the National Symphony in Washington, where she has established a solid reputation as a concerto performer and recitalist.

As solo violinist of the 20th-Century Consort, Elisabeth is a noted interpreter of contemporary repertoire. Reviewers across the country have praised her playing in phrases such as “a spectacular performance,” “a world-class violinist,” “an impeccable technique and a tone that melted the heart and charmed the soul.” Joseph McLellan, reviewing one of her recitals for the Washington Post, remarked: “As I listened to Adkins, I realized that there is no violinist (including Perlman, Menuhin—anyone) whose playing I prefer.”