A Brief Biography of Elisabeth Waldo

Elisabeth Waldo began her outstanding musical career on the family ranch, which borders the Yakima Native American Reservation in Washington State. She began to sing at age three and played the smallest violin (of that time) by the age of five. Upon the recommendation of Jascha Heifetz, Ms. Waldo received a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. However, the magical Native American sounds of her childhood remained with her throughout her classical musical education.

Elisabeth Waldo, vocal performer, age four.

On Conquering Latin America
(You Should See Her Scrapbook!)

Waldo joined the All-American Youth Orchestra at the invitation of Leopold Stokowski; touring South America further fanned the flames of "new directions" other than Western European Music. After a season as a first violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at last she was free to explore other Latin-American countries on her own as a solo violinist.

Explains Ms. Waldo: "It was a time when I was most susceptible to the freer forms of the Hispano idiom. I was totally immersed in the color and warmth, the rhythms and mystery of another world."

Ms. Waldo toured on her own as a solo violinist in Panamá, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Cuba. She concluded her tour in Mexico City, where she became a resident.

‘Goodbye,’ Symphony World ...‘Hello,’ Indigenous Cultures!

While performing on Mexican Radio Networks, including a series of concerts with Augustin Lara, she had the rare opportunity to become acquainted with the famous muralist, Diego Rivera.

Explaining her need to understand the music of ancient Meso-American Cultures for which no musical notation has ever been discovered, don Diego influenced Ms. Waldo to extensively research and devise musical hieroglyphics which would make it possible for modern musicians to perform on rare pre-Colombian instruments.

Her Time of Education

To her Indo-Hispanic performing-composing activities, Ms. Waldo began to compose music in the Asian idiom (1980s) with special emphasis on China. Subsequently, her Pan-Asian Ensemble was one of the first groups to introduce Chinese music and dance to the Los Angeles school system. As a follow-up cultural exchange with various Chinese conservatories, Ms. Waldo was invited to perform her Concierto Indo-Americano with the Xian Symphony in the Ancient Chinese capitol. Today, the "Chinese Idiom" is a part of her Southwinds Music.

Building A Foundation

In 1989, with Ms. Waldo as artistic director, the Multi-Cultural Music and Art Foundation of Northridge (MCMAFN) was formed for the purpose of creating better global understanding and communication through the performing and visual arts. Most concerts and workshops have been conducted and are continuing at Historic Rancho Cordillera del Norte in Northridge, California.

As Elisabeth Waldo’s "Music of the Spirit" activities expanded, a new conduit emerged: in 1995, Elisabeth Waldo incorporated Southwind Studios, to better extend formats for music publishing; producing CDs, videos, audio recordings; and consulting.Additionally, she reformed her ensembles in order to embrace all the talents of her artisan musicians, singers, and dancers.

Entering the Third Millennium

Today, Ms. Waldo divides her time between composing, recording, consulting, offering educational lectures and workshops, directing MCMAFN’s activities, and performing her unique repertoire of musical scores.

1999 is proving to be a typically busy year for Composer/Conductor/Violinist Elisabeth Waldo! In the past several months she has made numerous appearances and completed several recording projects (Visit our Music Shop!). And there is much more to come before the new century, including:

In December, Ms. Waldo will produce the much-anticipated performance of her lively Christmas stage show. "The Miracle of Christmas" will be seen at the historic Rancho Cordillera del Norte and at other theater venues in the greater Los Angeles area.

Please register now to receive occasional e-mail updates on performances by Elisabeth Waldo and shows at the Rancho Cordillera del Norte.

Register now to receive occasional e-mail updates on performances by Elisabeth Waldo and shows at the Rancho Cordillera del Norte.