World-class violinist/recording artist Theresa Ellis of Eden, Utah is the founder of the 4 piece ensemble SYNKOFA (sing-Koh-fa) and helped to pioneer the genre of Celtic Jazz for this instrumental group. The first formation of the group was with her husband in 1992 and was known as Ellis & Franklin until Clio award winner Jimmy Franklin's death in 2005. The group was redeveloped as SYNKOFA and their kickoff event "Celtic Concerto" 2011 launched the full new acoustic formation as it is today. All the members are educators as well as regional concert performers. Players include long-time member Stephen Wesson on the upright bass violin, and newest and youngest member cellist Aisha Zuiter, both originally from Salt Lake City. The group features finger-style guitarist and composer Eric McKenna-Spreng. Ms. Ellis hails from Detroit, Michigan where she recorded with the Motown String Sections, performed in the Nashville Symphony, recorded with various legendary artists there, and eventually fiddling for television and the Grand Ole Opry. Performance of her original music can be available for community block bookings, and school assembly concerts as part of residency culmination concerts. Ms. Ellis will do residencies, extended projects, and short-term and themed workshops as well as collaborations.