She is a horn player born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, growing up in the Chestnut Hill area, who studied with the oboist Louis Rosenblatt for 6 years followed by further studies at the Curtis Institute of Music with the former Principal Oboe of the Philadelphia Orchestra, John De Lancie.
She was solo English hornist with the Minnesota Orchestra for seven years before becoming a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra as solo English hornist in 1995. She has since premiered several solo pieces written for her that include the world premiere of Piccola Notturna for English horn, harp and strings by David Ludwig and Horn Concerto by Nicholas Maw.
Other orchestras and ensembles she has performed with include being the New York Symphonic Ensemble and the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia as well as participating in the Marlboro Music Festival.
Recordings she has featured on include Beethoven & Triebensee: Oboe Trios along with At the Still Point by Network for New Music and Peter Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique”/Dumka by The Philadelphia Orchestra.
In the field of musical education she has been on the faculty of the Philadelphia International Music Festival and Temple University.
Sources:
- https://www.philorch.org/your-philorch/meet-your-orchestra/musicians/elizabeth-starr-masoudnia/
- https://www.loree-paris.com/musiciens/elizabeth-starr-masoudnia/?lang=en
- https://philadelphiamusicfestival.org/our-faculty/woodwinds/elizabeth-starr-masoudnia/
- https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/hill-native-in-phila-orchestra-blows-her-own-horn,3195
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/9311023-Elizabeth-Starr
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/9311023-Elizabeth-Starr
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elizabeth-masoudnia-mn0002254714/credits