Category - Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research

With an inclination for eclectic projects, violinist Francis Liu specializes in performing contemporary works and period interpretations of Baroque and Classical repertoire. In addition to being co-founder of New Vintage Baroque, he has appeared at the festival “Dans les Jardins de William Christie,” working with members of Les Arts Florissants. He has also been on tour with the Baroque ensemble Musica Angelica and the actor John Malkovich in two productions, “The Infernal Comedy,” and “The Giacomo Variations.” Upcoming projects include performances with the Bach Players of Holy Trinity, the Sebastians, and the New York-based contemporary ensemble, Hotel Elefant. Mr. Liu has received degrees from Rice University, the University of Maryland, and the Juilliard Historical Performance program.

HOTEL ELEFANT IS A CONTEMPORARY MUSIC ENSEMBLE DEDICATED TO THE WORKS OF INNOVATIVE, LIVING COMPOSERS.

Founded by composers Leaha Maria Villarreal and Mary Kouyoumdjian, Hotel Elefant brings an awareness of today’s music to the general public through commissions, performances, and moderated discussions between composers, performers, and audiences. Committed to modern sounds and sonic explorations, this "audacious and unafraid" (New Music Box) ensemble highlights living composers who are blurring lines, pushing boundaries, and fostering creativity. With a flexible roster of more than twenty musicians, Hotel Elefant works closely with a broad spectrum of progressive artists including John Luther Adams, Richard Carrick, Michael Gordon, David T. Little, Angélica Negrón, and Chinary Ung. Past performances include Lincoln Center, Look and Listen Festival, and the Bang on a Can Marathon; collaborations with IKTUS Percussion and The Nouveau Classical Project; partnerships with Experiments in Opera, Ear Heart Music, and Opera on Tap; and a debut Carnegie Hall performance praised by The New York Times as “deeply felt.”

The ensemble has enjoyed the attention of such outlets and publications as Alex Ross' blog The Rest is Noise, radio station Q2 Music, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. Time Out New York hails Hotel Elefant as “one of New York’s fastest rising new-music outfits.”