Elizabeth Kosko
Biography
Born: September 5, 1988
Country: Wisconsin, USA
Studies: University of Southern California (MM Performance) 2014; Emporia State University (BM Performance 2011); New York University
Teachers: James Babor – Los Angeles Philharmonic, Percussionist
Joseph Pereira – Los Angeles Philharmonic, Principal Timpanist
Michael Oberaigner - Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin, Principal Timpanist
Tracy Freeze - Emporia State University
Christopher McLaurin – Kansas City Symphony, Principal Percussionist
Peter Erskine - Weather Report, Steely Dan, drum set
Richard Weiner – Cleveland Orchestra, Former Principal Percussionist
Feza Zweifel – National Arts Center Orchestra, Timpanist
David Constantine – The President’s Own United States Marine Band, Percussion
Julie Spencer – Marimba, Norsk-Percussion
Elizabeth Kosko is currently the Assistant Principal Timpanist/Section Percussionist of the YMF Debut Orchestra in Los Angeles, California. Prior to this position she was the percussion instructor for Emporia High School, where she directed the drumline, percussion ensemble, arranged drumline scores and ran a private studio.
As an advocate for the academic field of percussion, Ms. Kosko continuously seeks to enhance historical and modern research in percussion and percussion academia. As a result, she co-founded the “TEKpercussion Database,” a wiki-style, web-based, peer-reviewed research tool for the professional percussionist, educator, student and enthusiast.
Along with pursuing academic enhancement, Ms. Kosko remains an active performer and competitor, having placed 3rd in the Timpani Division of the MMPAT competition and achieving semi-finalist in the Naftzger Young Artist competition. She has also performed with a number of percussionist/composers including Joseph Pereira and Pablo Rieppi. She performs with a number of ensembles throughout the country including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Young Artists Symphony Orchestra, Tallgrass Chamber Choir and Orchestra, Overland Park “Theater in the Park,” and the Bemidji Opera Company.
Ms. Kosko is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Percussion Performance Degree at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA under the instruction of James Babor and Joseph Pereira.