Martha Mooke was born in New York City, graduated from the State University of New York at Albany, and earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. A pioneer of the electric five-string viola and violin, she has devoted her career to synthesizing her classical musical training with extended techniques, digital effects processing, and improvisation, while retaining the natural qualities of the instrument. Mooke has performed and recorded with such varied artists as David Bowie, Enya, Moby, Lauryn Hill, Al DiMeola, John Cale, Anthony Braxton, the Turtle Island and Soldier String quartets, Musicians Accord, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and Steve Reich, and she is heard in numerous film scores including Philip Glass’s sound tracks for Kundun and Koyaanisqatsi. A new music advocate, Mooke created and produces ASCAP’s new music showcase Thru the Walls. In high demand as both a performer and clinician, she is also a composer and founder/artistic director of the avant-garde Scorchio Quartet. She serves on the Board of Governors of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy and on the Composers Now Advisory Board.
Photo Credit: Artist Website (www.marthamooke.com)
