Founder & Artistic Director of L'Ensemble Portique
An active recitalist, Lisette Kielson has performed to acclaim on both recorder
and flute in the United States and Europe. Enthralling audiences with her
innovative programming and distinctive musicianship, she has been described by
the media as “sparkling with life” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) and with
“dazzling natural technique and brilliant interpretation…performing with true
character and style.” (Les Derničres Nouvelles d'Alsace)
Lisette founded L’Ensemble Portique in 2002 as a means of expressing her passion
for playing both early and contemporary chamber music, with a vision of
creatively integrating the two. The ensemble has been invited to perform at such
venues, including the North River Music Series in New York City, The Grand
Montgomery Chamber Music Series in Montgomery, NY, the Norton Building Concert
Series in Chicago, Sunday Afternoon Live from the Elvehjem in Madison, Wisconsin
and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Independently, Lisette’s guest appearances have included the Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra, the Jubilate Deo Orchestra in Alsace-France, Ars Antigua in
partnership with The Chicago Humanities Festival, the University of Minnesota
Bach Festival, the Midwestern Historical Keyboard Society, The American Bach
Project, the Madison Early Music Festival, and the Ars Musica Contemporary Music
Festival in Brussels, Belgium.
Her debut recording, Trio Atlantic, featuring Baroque music performed on period
instruments, is played nationally from coast to coast. Recent recordings under
L’Ensemble Portique’s LEP Records label include Taste of Portique, an expansive
CD of chamber music from the 18th to 21st centuries and Telemann: Canons and
Duos, a double disc set featuring Telemann’s celebrated music for two recorders.
Lisette Kielson’s love of teaching, and her enthusiastic approach and expertise
in directing chamber music ensembles attracts frequent invitations to lead
workshops and master classes throughout the country. She is on the faculty of
the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Continuing Education, the
Whitewater Early Music Festival and is Artist-in-Residence at Calvary
Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee.
She has gained much inspiration, guidance and strength from the teachers and
mentors who have journeyed with her throughout her education. Recorder: Roberta
Sweet, John Langfeld, Eva Legęne and Michael Barker. Flute: Nina Barwell,
Mary-Louise Poor, Ernestine Whitman, Kate Lukas, James Pellerite and Peter
Lloyd.
Lisette holds Bachelor and Master Degrees in flute performance from Indiana
University. Her post-master’s studies brought her to The Royal Conservatory of
The Hague, the Netherlands where she received a Diploma in recorder performance.
