Elke Völker
studied school music at the Mannheim State College of Music, as well as romance languages at the University of Mannheim.

From 1992 on she studied organ at the Mannheim College of Music with Leo Krämer. Subsequently Concert Diploma (with distinction), Church Music studies (A- diploma) in Mainz (Hans-Jürgen Kaiser, Mathias Breitschaft) and degrees in Musicology (Dorothea Redepenning) and German Studies at the University of Heidelberg.

A scholarship allowed her to study with Wolfgang Rübsam (University of Chicago), with Nicholas Kynaston (London) and with Michelle Leclerc (Schola Cantorum, Paris), where she obtained the Concert Diploma («Premier Prix» with distinction „très bien a l’unanimité”). Master classes and private studies with Jean Guillou and Daniel Roth (Paris), Jon Laukvik and Ludger Lohmann (Stuttgart), and Piet Kee (Haarlem) ensued.

Ms. Völker has been a prizewinner in several international competitions including the Grand Prize and Audience Prize at the “Internationaler Orgelwettbewerb Dom zu Speyer”, in 1995 and the 2nd Prize of the “International Organ Competition Frey- ming/Lorraine”. In 1999 she was finalist of the “Concours International d’Orgue de la Ville de Paris”. “Medaille de la Ville de Paris”. 2001 she got scholar of Rotary International. 2002 3rd Prize of the “International Organ Competition of Erfurt”. Her Karg-Elert recordings have been awarded by the international music press.

She has worked as a church musician for over 15 years at Speyer cathedral.

Her international success has - last but not least - established her excellent reputation as one of the most demanded organists, which led to an extensive international concert and teaching career.

Numerous broadcastings, television- and CD recordings as well as musicological publications testify to her extensive activities.