Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellie Welker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ellie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I started learning music when I was 5 and have always loved playing in front of crowds. I entered the elite music schools in Taiwan since the age of 9, but it wasn’t until I turned 20 that I discovered I wanted to pursue music for the rest of my life.

As I grew older, I began to realize that music was more than just a passion—it was a calling. Throughout my years of training, I often found myself torn between fulfilling school work and fully embracing music. But when I heard Jenny Oaks Baker’s CD, everything changed. It felt like a moment of clarity, where I finally understood that music wasn’t just something I did; it was something I was meant to share with others.

In 2013, I received a Jenny Oaks Baker CD for Christmas. When I heard the first song on the album, ‘Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,’ I felt an awakening. It was a special feeling, as if the song was speaking directly to me. In her music, I heard joy, fulfillment, and a sweet spirit shining through. Listening to her playing made me smile, and I felt a wave of emotion that filled me with warmth and gratitude. More importantly, I felt deeply loved and truly blessed. It made me want to play alongside her, to be part of that beautiful sound. I closed my eyes and imagined the day I could stand on stage, performing with her. In that moment, I knew I wanted to bless and inspire others through music, just as I had been inspired that day.

To this day, I never forget that feeling. Music speaks, music heals, and music empowers people. Whenever I want to give up, I always remind myself of that experience.

Ellie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ellie Welker is a Taiwan-born violist whose passion for music began at the age of five with piano and violin lessons, later transitioning to the viola at nine. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance from Taipei National University of the Arts in 2018 and completed a Graduate Certificate at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music under Karen Dreyfus in 2022.

Throughout her career, Ellie has performed globally, collaborating with artists such as JJ Lin, Christopher Young, and Zedd. She has graced renowned venues including the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Barclays Center, and Accor Arena Paris and many more. In 2023, she won the Southwest Symphony Solo Competition and was invited to perform with the orchestra in a concert series.

Beyond performing, Ellie is dedicated to music education. She has served as a string teaching artist at the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and established her own studio. Currently, she teaches as private instructor in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she founded the California Youth Music Competition to provide young musicians a platform to showcase their talents.

Ellie is currently holding solo recitals around the country and on tour with JJ Lin.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Have you ever heard a song that helps you through certain moments or times in life? Years later, when you listen to that song again, you can still feel what you felt the first time- it’s like being transported back to that moment of comfort or healing.

There have been so many times in my life when music helped me through difficult moments, providing not only solace but also the healing power to feel hopeful again. I once heard someone say, “If you can do something extra to make someone’s life a little easier, you should.” Ever since, that has become my life’s mission- to create music from heart that provides comfort, healing and a sense of peace to those who need it most.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love playing in front of people. Not only do I get to express myself and sing from my heart through my viola, but I also love seeing the smiles on my audience’s faces and feeling the energy they bring.

One time, after a solo recital, a man came up to me, held my hand with tears in his eyes, and said, “After hearing you play, it made me a better person.” I’ve also had many people tell me that the music I shared was exactly what they needed to hear in that moment.

I feel so grateful to be an instrument of God, sharing His love through music and helping others feel comforted, inspired, and healed. Moments like these remind me why I do what I do- they’re what make this journey so meaningful.

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is knowing that my work has touched someone’s life. Hearing from people who felt comforted, motivated, or uplifted by my music reminds me why I do what I do. It’s the feeling of making a real impact, even in a small way, that drives me forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elliewelker.com
• Instagram: ellie.welker
• Facebook: Ellie Welker
• Youtube: Ellie Ma Welker

Image Credits

Alan Holben Photography
The Southwest Symphony
Qi Qi Photography