CIM’s Elora Kares does double duty on stage as soprano, cellist

Hard work and full schedules are the norm at CIM. Elora Kares, however, has a schedule fuller than most.  

An accomplished cellist and soprano, the first-year student of Si-Yan Darren Li and Dina Kuznetsova redefines the term busy, regularly holding down two, three, or even four musical jobs simultaneously.  

To wit: last semester, when Kares played cello in the CIM Orchestra, sang two programs with Apollo’s Fire, and took part in the CIM Opera Theater production of Chabrier’s L’Étoile, all at the same time.  

“I’m kind of seasoned for this,” said Kares, a graduate of CIM’s Young Artist Program. “It’s fun and I’m used to it.” 

“Seasoned” is one word to describe Kares. Others would be “uncommonly driven,” “uniquely talented,” and “profoundly musical.” 

Where most adopt a specific instrument or voice part, Kares – who is also synesthetic, meaning she sees sound – fell in love with music in general. Cello and singing are merely the two media through which she chose to pursue it. 

“I’m just trying to get the music out of me as many ways as possible,” Kares said.  

At CIM, this desire currently has Kares on track to graduate with a major in cello and a minor in voice. She thought of pursuing a double major but was advised against it, given her active concert schedule outside school. 

She, though, doesn’t think of one as “major” and the other as “minor.” In her mind, cello and voice are like a first and second child.  

“I treat them both equally,” Kares said. “I couldn’t possibly choose one.” 

She may never have to. Imagining her future, Kares said she aspires to make a career singing and playing cello. Her goal is simply to make music with others, wherever and whenever possible. Meanwhile, she also hopes to literally make music, as a composer.  

Her spring schedule offers a glimpse of what that career may look like. In addition to ensembles at CIM, Kares plans to play and sing again with Apollo’s Fire and to be a featured soloist as both cellist and soprano in one evening with Ohio’s Lakeland Civic Orchestra. 

“The moment I complete one task, I’m on to the next thing,” Kares said.