Tina Chancey directs HESPERUS (celebrating its 40th  season), currently known for its live, semi-improvised early music scores for such silent film masterpieces as Mark of Zorro, Robin Hood and Hunchback of Notre Dame. She plays early and traditional fiddles on roots music from Sephardic to contra. Her particular interest is the pardessus de viole; she has toured the US, received solo recitalist grants from the NEA that supported her Carnegie Recital Hall debut, directed a Pardessus Conference at the 2017 Boston Early Music Festival, and recorded five pardessus CDs. Ms.Chancey has developed her own blend of early music and improvisation. Recent artist residencies have taken her to Geneva, Hawaii, Berlin, Oberlin and Hong Kong. She produces recordings, composes and arranges, writes popular and scholarly articles and directs workshops in improvisation, playing by ear, and how to practice.