Mary Oliver (violin and viola, hardanger violin) was born in La Jolla. She studied at San Francisco State University (Bachelor of Music), Mills College, Master of Fine Arts, and at the University of California in San Diego. In 1993, she earned her Ph.D. for her research on improvised music theory and practice. Her work as a soloist encompasses both composed and improvised contemporary music; she has premiered works by among others,Richard Barrett (air for solo violin 1994, Opening of the Mouth ensemble violin/viola/hardanger fiddle 1996; UnterWasser for ensemble and voice, violin 1997 and Trawl for ensemble, violin 1998) John Cage (Music for Four, viola, west coast premiere 1991), Chaya Czernowin (for arie solo violin and tape 1990;Pnima..ins Innere viola solo with ensemble 2000; Maim zarim, maim gnuvim viola solo with orchestra w.p. ), Brian Ferneyhough, Joelle Leandre, (Satiemental Journey for solo violin/viola, world premiere, 1996), and Liza Lim (Philtre solo hardanger fiddle 1990;Pnima..ins Innere viola solo with ensemble 2000; Maim zarim, maim gnuvim viola solo with orchestra w.p. 1988). Oliver has performed alongside improvising musicians like Han Bennink and Cor Fuhler, Joelle Leandre (Voyager, 1991), George E. Lewis (Voyager, 1990), Richard Teitelbaum (Golum, violin 1990) and Iannis Xenakis (“Embelie for solo viola, US premiere 1988). She has been a soloist as well as an ensemble player in many international festivals, including the Darmstadter Feriendurse fur neue Musik, Donaueschinger Muziektage 2002 and October Meeting (Amsterdam), The Holland Festival, The Holland Festival and Toronto Jazz Festivals. She has lived in Amsterdam for 14 years, where she has performed locally and internationally with many ensembles, including Magpie Music and Dance Company (Australia), Scapino Ballet and Nieuw Ensemble, Elision Ensemble(Australia), Ensemble Koln and MAE, and Maertz Musik festspiel in Berlin. She is currently a teacher at the Hogeschol voor Kunst in Utrecht. Oliver is one of her current projects.
