Betsy Jolas

Franco-American composer Elizabeth 'Betsy' Jolas was born in Paris in 1926. Thriving in a culturally vibrant household, she soon moved to the United States where she studied at Bennington College. Returning to Paris, she completed her musical education under Darius Milhaud and Olivier Messiaen. An influential figure in contemporary music, Jolas has taught at prestigious institutions across the USA and France, served as an assistant to Messiaen, and created a diverse body of works performed worldwide by renowned artists. A member of numerous academies, she also maintains a unique musical voice, avoiding strict serialism for a more flexible and vocal-oriented approach.