Biography

Talya Eliav (b. 1985) is a composer and performer currently based in Haifa. Born and raised in the Galilee, she has been active as a pianist and singer since her teens. Educated in a Waldorf (anthroposophic) environment that encouraged exploration of multiple art forms, Eliav developed a distinctly interdisciplinary artistic voice. Trained in composition with John Bostock, jazz and improvisation, and later in visual theater with vocal artist Ruth Wieder-Magen and actor-director Amir Orian, she integrates musical, theatrical, and performative elements in her work.

In the Tel Aviv indie scene, Eliav has released four solo albums acclaimed for their stylistic range and experimental spirit—from acoustic, jazz-influenced beginnings to digital and electro-acoustic production. Her fourth album, devoted to the songs of French singer Barbara (translated and performed in Hebrew), reflects her ongoing exploration of the relationship between music, text, and language.

Eliav holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Composition from the University of Haifa, where she studied with Eitan Steinberg, Yuval Shaked, Oded Zehavi, the late Arik Shapira, and Sarah Nemtsov. Her studies led to works for solo voice, ensemble, and stage. Her chamber opera Ab Ovo premiered at the Venice Biennale Music Festival in 2019. Her concert music has been performed by leading Israeli ensembles and soloists. Recent works include Love for Hersh for flute and soundtrack, commemorating Hersh Goldberg and based on a speech by his mother Rachel Polin-Goldberg; A Gate of Creation for the Modalius Ensemble; Geh Gong, a choral work written in invented language; and Man that is Born of a Woman for flute, piano, and cello trio, inspired by Henry Purcell’s song, and more.

Eliav is the founder and conductor of the Bat Galim Choir, established five years ago, which has since achieved growing success and received municipal and national funding. In parallel, she created sound-based installations and performances within the Haifa Museums and Beit HaGefen intercultural center.

Her M.A. research focuses on opera, music-theater, and the interrelations of speech, song, and rhythm. She has received multiple excellence scholarships from the University of Haifa, the Baruch Luzzatto Prize, ACUM grants, and a Ministry of Culture grant. In 2024, she was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Composers. She currently serves as a lecturer in Composition and Counterpoint at the University of Haifa, teaching undergraduate students.