Courtney A. Elf '00, a music composition major and flutist from Sandy Hook, Conn., finds inspiration for the music she writes in her Christian Orthodox faith. "Religion has inspired much of the music I've written and given me great strength," she says. For her senior honors thesis, Elf composed three musical works: a string quartet, a flute sonata and a chamber choir piece on the life of Jesus.

In recognition of her talents, Elf received a national $32,000 Beinecke Brothers Memorial scholarship for graduate study. A composer and performer since the age of 10, Elf hopes to earn a doctoral degree in music and teach composition at the college level. She begins her graduate career this fall at the Boston University School of the Arts. Once she completes her master's degree, Elf hopes to travel abroad, absorbing other musical influences, before starting on her doctorate.

Elf has been a member of the college orchestra and chamber singing and choir groups. Her solo performances aside, "the highlight of my Bates experience has been working with other musicians," she says. She also has minored in French and earned varsity letters in cross-country running and track.

Elf's mentor, William Matthews, the Alice Swanson Esty Professor of Music, calls her "the hardest working student I've ever had, committed to doing her best always. She works at being a well-rounded musician: singing, playing, conducting, composing, analyzing and thinking about music all the time."