Ella Bukspan

Ella Bukszpan is an Israeli violist who serves as a substitute viola and violin faculty at the Manhattan School of Music pre-college division, as faculty at the Thurnauer School of Music and [role] at UpBeat NYC. Ella holds a BM from the Manhattan School of Music and is currently pursuing her MM degree studying with both Pinchas Zukerman and Patinka Kopec at the Manhattan School of Music. Ella participated in various music programs, festivals, and masterclasses in the U.S. and throughout Europe such as Perlman Music Program, Aspen Music Festival, Young Artists Program, Keshet Eilon mastercourse, Nice Music Academy, Astona and more. In addition, she has collaborated with distinguished artists such as members of the American String Quartet, the Jerusalem Quartet, the Juilliard Quartet, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Israeli Philharmonic. Ella has received numerous scholarships and awards, such as the Havah Stern Excellence Scholarship, the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, the Ronen Foundation, and the Zefunot Culture Foundation. She was awarded second and third prizes at the Ruth Widder Chamber Music Competition in 2021 and 2025, first prize at the American String Quartet Competition, and the LIllian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition. Ella plays on a viola made by Jacob Stainer in 1660, generously loaned to her by Mr. Yehuda Zisapel.