About Us
Ensemble Passacaglia was formed in 2001 when Lisa Esperson,
Tom Hanna and I became intrigued with the striking combination of winds,
plucked strings and percussion. A mutual affinity for medieval and
renaissance music brought us together as accompanists for the vocal ensemble
the Solstice Singers, and soon thereafter we started performing as a trio.
We began incorporating music from the Middle East into our concerts,
finding richness in the cross-cultural influences suggested by the
intricate rhythms and melodies. In 2007 Molly Johnston joined us, adding
the warm and resonant sound of viola da gamba to the mix.
We play this music because we love it, and while aiming for historical and cultural authenticity, our focus is on contemporary vitality and freshness. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Jan Elliott
Woods Hole, MA resident Jan Elliott (recorder, crumhorn) developed
a particular interest in medieval, renaissance and baroque music as well
as traditional folk music from many parts of the world at Wesleyan
University. She taught at Boston University for 7 years and later received
an MA in dance anthropology from UCLA. She currently teaches recorder and
performs with several Cape Cod-based early music groups. She also directs
the Vineyard Swordfish and Clownfish Rapper sword dancers.
Lisa Esperson (percussion) got her start in early music by singing
and playing recorder and percussion with the group In Praise of Folly,
which performed at the Boston Early Music Festival in 1991. She teaches
percussion to children and adults in the Falmouth, MA community with an
emphasis on traditional music and techniques and directs the world percussion
ensemble Explicit Noise. Dr. Esperson is a Chiropractic Physician and has
been in private practice since 1982.
Tom Hanna (lute, mandolin, guitar) has been playing classical guitar
for over three decades and lute for about 15 years. He has maintained an
active interest in medieval and renaissance music since his college days,
though he was raised with heavy metal music and also plays with the rock
band Med Hedz. Dr. Hanna is an emergency physician at Falmouth Hospital
where he has been on staff for over 20 years. He lives in Sandwich, MA
with his wife and son.
Molly Johnston (viola da gamba, vielle) holds degrees in music
history from Wellesley College and Yale University with a concentration
in medieval, renaissance and baroque music. She taught at Duke University
and directed the Duke University Collegium Musicum. She is currently a
pilot for the charitable organization Angel Flight and lives with her
husband variously in Waquoit, MA, in Spain, and off the coast of New England
on their sailboat Juliet.
We play this music because we love it, and while aiming for historical and cultural authenticity, our focus is on contemporary vitality and freshness. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Jan Elliott
Woods Hole, MA resident Jan Elliott (recorder, crumhorn) developed
a particular interest in medieval, renaissance and baroque music as well
as traditional folk music from many parts of the world at Wesleyan
University. She taught at Boston University for 7 years and later received
an MA in dance anthropology from UCLA. She currently teaches recorder and
performs with several Cape Cod-based early music groups. She also directs
the Vineyard Swordfish and Clownfish Rapper sword dancers.
Lisa Esperson (percussion) got her start in early music by singing
and playing recorder and percussion with the group In Praise of Folly,
which performed at the Boston Early Music Festival in 1991. She teaches
percussion to children and adults in the Falmouth, MA community with an
emphasis on traditional music and techniques and directs the world percussion
ensemble Explicit Noise. Dr. Esperson is a Chiropractic Physician and has
been in private practice since 1982.
Tom Hanna (lute, mandolin, guitar) has been playing classical guitar
for over three decades and lute for about 15 years. He has maintained an
active interest in medieval and renaissance music since his college days,
though he was raised with heavy metal music and also plays with the rock
band Med Hedz. Dr. Hanna is an emergency physician at Falmouth Hospital
where he has been on staff for over 20 years. He lives in Sandwich, MA
with his wife and son.
Molly Johnston (viola da gamba, vielle) holds degrees in music
history from Wellesley College and Yale University with a concentration
in medieval, renaissance and baroque music. She taught at Duke University
and directed the Duke University Collegium Musicum. She is currently a
pilot for the charitable organization Angel Flight and lives with her
husband variously in Waquoit, MA, in Spain, and off the coast of New England
on their sailboat Juliet.