Biography of Kaila Flexer

Kaila Flexer is a violinist, composer and music educator. She is half of the duo Teslim (with Gari Hegedus), who perform Sephardic, Greek, Turkish and original music. Teslim just released their (self-titled) debut CD in March of this year. Flexer is Artistic Director of Pomegranates and Figs: A Feast of Jewish Music, which is being presented by Cal Performances on December 20, 2008 in Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley California). She is also Artistic Director of Worldview Cultural Performances, an Oakland-based non-profit arts organization under whose auspices, Flexer founded and produced Klezmer Mania!, a much-loved annual Bay Area Jewish music event for over 10 years (1989-2002). She has been at the helm of bands such as Third Ear, Next Village and Kaila Flexer's Fieldharmonik, ensembles that feature her original material. As a composer, her work reflects her deep respect for folk music, while showcasing her ability to forge new and expansive musical landscapes. She has performed both nationally internationally with her own ensembles as well as with groups including The Hollis Taylor-Kaila Flexer Duo, The Flexer-Marshall Duo (with ex-husband Mike Marshall), Club Foot Orchestra, The Composer's Cafeteria, The Bay Area Jazz Composer's Orchestra and KITKA (Bulgarian Women's Vocal Ensemble). She has recorded two CD's of original music for Compass Records (Nashville) to critical acclaim as well as the recently-released self-produced Teslim recording. In addition to performing, Flexer teaches violin, composition and a variety of workshops including those presented at Zoukfest, held in Santa Fe New Mexico. Kaila has a thriving studio in Oakland, California where she lives with her nine-year-old daughter, who is a budding fiddler, ballerina and crafts-girl.  

The following organizations have awarded Flexer with Commissions: Creative Work Fund for Xylem Folkestra Project (with the Crowden School), American Composers Forum for Project Tarab, City of Oakland Individual Artist Grants for Ladder of Gold with Teslim (2007) and Project Tarab (2008). 

Flexer has received grants for her work from the following organizations:  Oakland Individual Artist Grant, Zellerbach Family Fund, Koret Foundation, Alameda County Arts Fund, Walter and Elise Haas Foundation, Wornick Family Fund, Bill Graham Memorial Fund, Levinson Foundation, Bernard Osher Foundation, Bay Area Temple Association and the Fleishhacker Foundation. 

Flexer is a member of Chamber Music America, American String Teachers Association and American Composers Forum (ACF).