Elphara (alias Raphael Radoux-Rogier) is a London-based violin player, composer and music teacher originally from Brussels, Belgium. He studied classical music, chamber music and free improvisation at the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and Liege.
On his arrival in England in 1998, he began exploring the Celtic folk and world music traditions, while busking solo on the streets of London and its underground. He also played regularly with Moveable Feast, a band that explored world roots and folk rock.
In 2001 Elphara spent a year travelling and busking with his violin across India, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Central America and the USA . He has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians from different backgrounds, including working in the worlds of dance and theatre.
Elphara’s studio recordings include collaborations with the Japanese group Kuri and Moveable Feast, as well as two albums of his own music, both inspired by his experiences of London busking: ‘South Kensington’ in 2000 and ‘Bow’ in 2009.
In 2004 he created his first band – Miraca, enjoying successful collaborations with traditional Mongolian music influenced multi-instrumentalist Michael Ormiston and percussionist and marimba player Neil Foster.
Elphara has performed at numerous festivals and venues in and outside the UK including the Shetland Folk Festival, Alternatives, Number 6, Woodburner, and The Nest Collective.
While pursuing his own composing and performing career, he continues to teach and inspire his many talented violin students.