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Elisabeth Smalt is a renowned Dutch violist and contemporary music performer. She was born on December 22, 1959, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Smalt grew up in a family of musicians, and her father was a professional cellist. She started playing the viola at the age of 12 and quickly showed exceptional talent. She studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory and later at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, where she graduated with honors. Smalt's career as a professional musician began in the early 1980s when she joined the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. She played with the orchestra for several years before deciding to focus on contemporary music. She became interested in the avant-garde and experimental music, and she started collaborating with composers to create new works for the viola. In 1990, Smalt founded the Ensemble MAE, which stands for Music After Eight. The ensemble is dedicated to performing contemporary music and has premiered many new works by Dutch and international composers. Smalt has also performed with other contemporary music ensembles, including the Nieuw Ensemble and the Asko/Schönberg Ensemble. Smalt's performances have taken her all over the world, and she has played in major concert halls and festivals. In 1993, she performed at the prestigious Gaudeamus Music Week in Amsterdam, where she premiered a new work by composer James Tenney. She has also performed at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in the UK, the Festival d'Automne in Paris, and the Ars Musica Festival in Brussels. Smalt has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a musician. In 1995, she was awarded the Dutch Music Prize, the highest honor for a musician in the Netherlands. She was also awarded the Koussevitzky Music Foundation Commission in 1997, which allowed her to commission a new work for the viola. In 2001, she was awarded the Matthijs Vermeulen Prize for her contributions to contemporary music. Smalt is also a dedicated teacher and has taught at several music conservatories in the Netherlands. She has been a professor of viola at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague since 2002. She has also given masterclasses and workshops in Europe, Asia, and North America. In addition to her work as a performer and teacher, Smalt is also a researcher and writer. She has written several articles and essays on contemporary music and the viola. In 2010, she published a book titled "The Power of the Viola: A Comprehensive Guide to the World of the Viola," which explores the history and repertoire of the instrument. Smalt's contributions to contemporary music and the viola have been significant, and she continues to be an influential figure in the music world. Her dedication to new music and her innovative approach to the viola have inspired many composers and performers. She remains an active performer, teacher, and researcher, and her work continues to push the boundaries of contemporary music.

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