Ellen Fullman

Ellen Fullman, composer, instrument builder and performer was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1957. In 1981, at her studio in Brooklyn she began developing her life-work, the 70 foot (21 meter) Long String Instrument, in which rosin-coated fingers brush across dozens of metallic strings, producing a chorus of minimal organ-like overtones which has been compared to the experience of standing inside an enormous grand piano. She has recorded extensively with this unusual instrument and has been the recipient of numerous awards, commissions and residencies including: McKnight Visiting Composer Residency in Minnesota (2010); Center for Cultural Innovation Grant (2008); Japan/U.S. Friendship Commission/NEA Fellowship for Japan (2007); and DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program residency (2000). Releases include: Fluctuations, with trombonist Monique Buzzarté (Deep Listening Institute), selected as one of the top 50 recordings of 2008 by The Wire (London) and awarded an Aaron Copeland Fund for Music Recording Program Grant and Ort, recorded with Berlin collaborator Jörg Hiller (Choose Records), selected as one of the top 50 recordings of 2004 by The Wire. A documentary short on Fullman, 5 variations on a long string, directed by Peter Esmonde was premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2010 and is currently making film festival rounds.