Now 19, Elisa has played clarinet and saxophone from an early age. She’s passed classical clarinet and jazz saxophone exams with distinction and won many competitions, prizes and awards. Passionate about jazz, Elisa’s been in the Garden City Big Band and Chch Youth Jazz Orchestra, among others including her own musical project ‘DUENDE’. Now at the NZ School of Music, as one of few female jazz instrumentalists Elisa has helped start an all-female collective to support other non-male musicians in Aotearoa's jazz scene. This Grant will help Elisa buy a baritone saxophone to last her entire career. A role model for others, her goal is to record and perform her own works at her own gigs, while continuing to support diversity in the jazz community internationally.