{{Short description|American singer-songwriter and stage actress}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = person | name = Eleri Ward | birth_name = Eleri Ward | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|08|10}} | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | origin = New York City, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Indie folk|musical theatre|pop}} | years_active = 2016–present | label = Ghostlight (Sh-K-Boom) | module = {{Infobox social media personality | child = yes | tiktok_handle = eleriward | tiktok_display_name = Eleri Ward | tiktok_years_active = | tiktok_genre = | tiktok_followers = 71.3K | stats_update = May 2023 }} | website = {{URL|eleriward.com}} }}
'''Eleri Ward''' (born August 10, 1994)<ref name=":7">{{Cite Instagram|postid=CDuHYA-DtrR|user=eleriward|title=Smiling because now I'm 26 and am very grateful to not be 25 any longer! T'was a hard one. Looking forward to what this next revolution around the sun will bring 💚|date=2020-08-10|author=Eleri Ward|access-date=2023-01-04}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Fierberg |first=Ruthie |date=Aug 30, 2020 |title=Meet the 30 Semi-Finalists of Playbill's Search for a Star Contest |url=https://playbill.com/article/meet-the-30-semi-finalists-of-playbills-search-for-a-star-contest |access-date=Apr 23, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref> is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor, best known for her Sufjan Stevens-inspired indie folk renditions of the works of composer Stephen Sondheim. Since garnering attention with covers posted to Instagram and TikTok, Ward has released two albums in this vein, ''A Perfect Little Death'' (2021) and ''Keep a Tender Distance'' (2022), both on Sh-K-Boom Records' Ghostlight imprint, as well as two self-released pop EPs, ''Prism'' (2020) and ''Friction'' (2021). In summer 2022, she toured with singer Josh Groban. As a stage actress, she has performed in productions for The Muny and MCC Theater.
== Early life == Ward grew up in the Burr Ridge suburb of Chicago, Illinois.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Weinert-Kendt |first=Rob |date=2022-09-15 |title=Eleri Ward Captures the Longing at the Heart of Sondheim's Work |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/theater/eleri-ward-keep-a-tender-distance.html |access-date=2023-01-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Levere |first=Jane |date=2022-12-19 |title=Eleri Ward, Folk Guitar Interpreter Of Sondheim Music, Kicks Off National Tour For New Album In New York City Tonight |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/janelevere/2022/12/19/eleri-ward-folk-guitar-interpreter-of-sondheim-music-kicks-off-national-tour-for-new-album-in-new-york-city-tonight/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Curtis M. |date=2022-09-02 |title=Singer Eleri Ward Celebrates Sondheim With An Indie-Pop Take On A Broadway Classic |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eleri-ward-sondheim-not-while-im-around-video_n_63115ba0e4b020c4ffab68fd |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Ronald |date=2023-02-23 |title=Sondheim covers on Instagram, TikTok paved Eleri Ward's path |url=https://apnews.com/article/eleri-ward-sondheim-bf252ac3b3448cc44acba2e941292817 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Her mother was an interior designer and real estate broker, while her father was a consultant.<ref name=":9" /> Displaying an early interest in performing, Ward began violin and piano lessons at age 5, in addition to dabbling in viola and alto saxophone,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Weinert-Kendt |first=Rob |date=2021-06-29 |title=Fingerstyle Folk Sondheim: A Sound We Didn't Know We Needed |url=https://www.americantheatre.org/2021/06/29/fingerstyle-folk-sondheim-a-sound-we-didnt-know-we-needed/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=American Theatre |publisher=Theatre Communications Group |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Brethauer-Hamling |first=Taylor |date=2021-04-12 |title=BWW Interview: Eleri Ward Talks SUF/SOND, Her Music and Theatre Interests, Going Viral on TikTok, & More! |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Interview-Eleri-Ward-Talks-SUFSOND-Her-Music-and-Theatre-Interests-Going-Viral-on-TikTok-More-20210412 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Brunner |first=Jeryl |date=Nov 16, 2021 |title=Her Album Of Reimagined Sondheim Songs That She Recorded In Her Closet Is Getting Serious Buzz |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerylbrunner/2021/11/16/her-album-of-reimagined-sondheim-songs-that-she-recorded-in-her-closet-is-getting-serious-buzz/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> and began singing lessons at age 8.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":1" /> She was also involved in a children's theater school, where she made her stage debut in a production of ''The Sound of Music''.<ref name=":8" /> Ward attended high school at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, where she sang as Amy in a production of ''Company'' and where her department heads, Andy Robinson and Pat Rusk, first introduced her to the work of Stephen Sondheim when she was 14.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Benitez-Eves |first=Tina |date=2021-11-09 |title=Eleri Ward Channels the Sounds of Sondheim on 'A Perfect Little Death' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/eleri-ward-channels-the-sounds-of-sondheim-on-a-perfect-little-death/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Durcholz |first=Daniel |date=2022-02-01 |title=From her walk-in closet, singer-songwriter Eleri Ward helps listeners discover Sondheim |url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/from-her-walk-in-closet-singer-songwriter-eleri-ward-helps-listeners-discover-sondheim/article_f4acb365-fd26-5353-b879-b7784d2cedbe.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202020645/https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/from-her-walk-in-closet-singer-songwriter-eleri-ward-helps-listeners-discover-sondheim/article_f4acb365-fd26-5353-b879-b7784d2cedbe.html |archive-date=2022-02-02 |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |language=en}}</ref> At a young age, she saw ''Sweeney Todd'' performed at the Drury Lane Theatre and attended a Sondheim talk with critic Frank Rich.<ref name=":9" />
Ward studied songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston for a year, before transferring to the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she graduated with a BFA in musical theatre with an emphasis in songwriting and acting.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> During her second year at Boston Conservatory in 2015, Ward, feeling she had "hit a plateau" with the piano, taught herself to play guitar after buying one from a friend.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9" /> After graduating, she moved to New York City, where she worked day jobs while auditioning for theater roles.<ref name=":6" />
== Music career ==
=== ''A Perfect Little Death'' === Ward's music career began in March 2019 with an acoustic cover of Sondheim's "Every Day a Little Death" from ''A Little Night Music'', which she posted to Instagram with the caption "Sufjan on Sondheim".<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Hemphill |first=Evie |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Eleri Ward's Sondheim show interprets the Broadway legend in an unusual, intimate way |url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2022-01-28/eleri-wards-sondheim-show-interprets-the-broadway-legend-in-an-unusual-intimate-way |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=STLPR |language=en}}</ref> Encouraged by the cover's positive reception and urged on by a friend, she began posting a series of such covers, beginning with "Johanna (Reprise)" from ''Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,'' first posted the following day.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":9" /> She also began posting the covers to YouTube in 2019.<ref name=":16" />
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward and her boyfriend moved from New York to Boston,<ref name=":9" /> and Ward self-released two pop EPs – ''Prism'' in May 2020 and ''Friction'' in June 2021.<ref name=":6" /> The latter was recorded in Brooklyn with producer Allen Tate.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Graeme |date=2021-06-18 |title=EP Review: Eleri Ward – Friction |url=https://yorkcalling.co.uk/2021/06/18/ep-review-eleri-ward-friction/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=York Calling |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Taylor |date=2021-06-19 |title="Friction" EP by Eleri Ward |url=https://risingartistsblog.com/2021/06/19/friction-ep-by-eleri-ward/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Rising Artists Music Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2020, Ward was one of 30 semi-finalists of ''Playbill''<nowiki/>'s Search for a Star competition, for which she performed "The Miller's Son" from ''A Little Night Music''.<ref name=":11" /> She began uploading her Sondheim covers to TikTok in January 2021 at the advice of a friend.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":17" /> Further developing a following on the app, Ward was inspired to create an album of her Sondheim covers, ''A Perfect Little Death'', which she recorded over the course of a month in the walk-in closet of her apartment.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":17" /> She initially promoted this music under the name SUF/SOND, before Stevens's legal representatives gently discouraged her from doing so.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" />
After making a TikTok asking ''BroadwayWorld'' to write about her album, Ward was interviewed by the website, which brought her to the attention of Sh-K-Boom Records founder Kurt Deutsch.<ref name=":9" /> This led Deutsch to Ward's cover of "Johanna (Reprise)" on TikTok, and he subsequently contacted her and agreed to distribute her album via Sh-K-Boom's Ghostlight imprint.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":17" /> ''A Perfect Little Death'' was released on Ghostlight in 2021, with a digital release on June 4 and a physical release on October 1.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Harms |first=Talaura |date=2021-06-03 |title=Get an Exclusive 1st Listen to "Sunday" From the New SUF/SOND Album A Perfect Little Death |url=https://playbill.com/article/get-an-exclusive-1st-listen-to-sunday-from-the-new-suf-sond-album-a-perfect-little-death |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
To promote the album, Ward and Ghostlight held two album release shows at Rockwood Music Hall in Manhattan.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":0" /> The first of these shows was attended by singer Josh Groban, who had been given Ward's album by Warner Music Group executive Kevin Gore. Groban invited her to join his Harmony Tour, alongside Lucia Micarelli and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Eric E. |date=2022-07-21 |title=Eleri Ward sings Sondheim to open shows |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/jul/21/eleri-ward-sings-sondheim-to-open-shows/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |language=en}}</ref>
=== ''Keep a Tender Distance'' === Ward's covers gained wider attention following Sondheim's death in November 2021.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":6" /> She performed at Joe's Pub in March 2022, including a duet of "Loving You" from Sondheim's ''Passion'' with Donna Murphy, who had previously performed the song as the play's original Fosca.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" />
Ward's second album of Sondheim covers, ''Keep a Tender Distance'', was recorded at Better Company Studios in Brooklyn, with Tate returning as producer, his San Fermin bandmate Ellis Ludwig-Leone handling string arrangements,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> and Nathan Schram performing violin and viola.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last=Geddes |first=Gerry |date=October 5, 2022 |title=CD Review: Eleri Ward's "Keep a Tender Distance" |url=https://bistroaward.com/cd-review-eleri-wards-keep-a-tender-distance/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Bistro Awards |language=en-US}}</ref> The album was released digitally by Ghostlight on September 16, 2022,<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=Sep 16, 2022 |title=Eleri Ward's 2nd Sondheim Folk Album Keep a Tender Distance Released September 16 |url=https://playbill.com/article/eleri-wards-2nd-sondheim-folk-album-keep-a-tender-distance-released-september-16 |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> later receiving a CD release on February 24, 2023.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=Feb 2, 2023 |title=Eleri Ward Brings Acoustic Sondheim to City Winery February 2 |url=https://playbill.com/article/eleri-ward-brings-acoustic-sondheim-to-city-winery-february-2 |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref> Singles released from the album included "No One Is Alone" from ''Into the Woods'' and "Not While I'm Around" from ''Sweeney Todd''.
A national tour to promote the album was launched with a December 2022 show at Sony Hall, where Ward performed with surprise guests including Laura Benanti, Julia Murney, Jennifer Simard, ''Company'''s Bobby Conte and ''Six'''s Samantha Pauly.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=2022-10-24 |title=Eleri Ward Is Taking Her Folk Sondheim on the Road |url=https://playbill.com/article/eleri-ward-is-taking-her-folk-sondheim-on-the-road |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=Nov 17, 2022 |title=Laura Benanti, Samantha Pauly, Bobby Conte, More to Join Eleri Ward for New York City Folk Sondheim Concert |url=https://playbill.com/article/laura-benanti-samantha-pauly-bobby-conte-more-to-join-eleri-ward-for-new-york-city-folk-sondheim-concert |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":9" /> Another tour, billed as "The Tender Tour", was launched in February 2023 at the City Winery, with planned stops in Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Philadelphia.<ref name=":14" />
== Theatre == Ward was an ensemble performer in The Muny's 2016 production of ''The Wizard of Oz'', directed by John Tartaglia.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=June 13, 2016 |title=Muny Season Kicks Off Tonight with Wizard of Oz, Featuring Broadway Artists |url=https://playbill.com/article/muny-season-kicks-off-tonight-with-wizard-of-oz-featuring-broadway-artists |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref> In September 2021, she performed at the venue 54 Below as part of Ryan Scott Oliver's "RSO: Monday the 13th", alongside Kathryn Allison, Jackie Cox, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and Bonnie Milligan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=Sep 8, 2021 |title=6 Ryan Scott Oliver Tunes Sung By Long-Time RSO Collaborator Jay Armstrong Johnson |url=https://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/6-ryan-scott-oliver-tunes-sung-by-broadways-jay-armstrong-johnson/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=BroadwayBox.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Franklin |first=Marc J. |date=Sep 20, 2021 |title=Check Out Photos of Ryan Scott Oliver's Monday the 13th at Feinstein's/54 Below |url=https://playbill.com/article/check-out-photos-of-ryan-scott-olivers-monday-the-13th-at-feinsteins-54-below |access-date=Apr 23, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref> She contributed an essay to ''When The Lights Are Bright Again'', a book about the impact of the pandemic on the theater industry, and attended the book's launch party alongside Cody Renard Richard, Jonathan Cerullo, Kate Baldwin, and Arian Moayed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franklin |first=Marc J. |date=Nov 2, 2021 |title=Go Inside the Book Launch Party for When the Lights Are Bright Again |url=https://playbill.com/article/go-inside-the-book-launch-party-for-when-the-lights-are-bright-again |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Norlen |first=Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qRhDEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Eleri+Ward%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA225 |title=When the Lights Are Bright Again: Letters and images of loss, hope, and resilience from the theater community |date=2021-11-01 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4930-6660-5 |page=17 |language=en}}</ref> In May 2022, she performed at the 10th annual "Night of a Thousand Judys", a Judy Garland tribute concert hosted at Joe's Pub, which benefitted the Ali Forney Center and also featured Frances Ruffelle, Nathan Lee Graham, Kathryn Gallagher, Bonnie Milligan, and Hilary Kole.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Deb |date=2022-06-03 |title=10th annual 'Night of a Thousand Judys' commemorates the 100th birthday of Judy Garland at Joe's Pub in NYC |url=https://dctheaterarts.org/2022/06/02/10th-annual-night-of-a-thousand-judys-commemorates-the-100th-birthday-of-judy-garland-at-joes-pub-in-nyc/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=DC Theater Arts |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=June 5, 2022 |title=Shereen Pimentel, Frances Ruffelle, Nathan Lee Graham, More Are Part of Night of a Thousand Judys June 5 |url=https://playbill.com/article/shereen-pimentel-frances-ruffelle-nathan-lee-graham-more-are-part-of-night-of-a-thousand-judys-june-5 |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
Ward made her off-Broadway debut as an understudy in MCC Theater's 2022 production of ''Only Gold'', a musical with songs by Kate Nash and a book by Andy Blankenbuehler, which starred Nash, Terrence Mann, Karine Plantadit, and Ryan Steele.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Dan |date=Aug 9, 2022 |title=Kate Nash, Terrence Mann, Eleri Ward, More Cast in ONLY GOLD Musical Off-Broadway |url=https://www.theatrely.com/post/kate-nash-terrence-mann-eleri-ward-more-cast-in-only-gold-musical-off-broadway |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Theatrely |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> Ward again collaborated with the MCC Theater in March 2023 for their annual showcase ''Miscast23'', which was livestreamed from the Hammerstein Ballroom. The concert, which honored Vanessa Williams and Lianny Toval, saw Ward perform alongside Jordan Cooper, Jordan Donica, Jose Llana, Dylan Mulvaney, Rachel Zegler, Annaleigh Ashford, Josh Groban, LaChanze, Bonnie Milligan, and Ben Platt.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Dan |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Dylan Mulvaney, Jordan Donica, Rachel Zegler, More Join MISCAST23 |url=https://www.theatrely.com/post/dylan-mulvaney-jordan-donica-rachel-zegler-more-join-miscast23 |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Theatrely |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harms |first=Talaura |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Tune In Alert: MCC's Miscast23 Now Streaming |url=https://playbill.com/article/tune-in-alert-mccs-miscast23-now-streaming |access-date=Apr 19, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=April 7, 2023 |title=Watch Broadway Star Bonnie Milligan Sing 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' Tune for 'Miscast23' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/theater/broadway-star-bonnie-milligan-sings-moulin-rouge-tune-exclusive/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=People |language=en}}</ref>
In the summer of 2024, she was featured as Jordan Baker and understudied the role of Daisy Buchanan in the world premiere of Florence Welch's ''Gatsby: An American Myth'' at the American Repertory Theatre.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Culwell-Block |first1=Logan |title=Isaac Powell, Charlotte MacInnes, Ben Levi Ross to Lead World Premiere Gatsby Musical at American Repertory Theater |url=https://playbill.com/article/isaac-powell-charlotte-macinnes-ben-levi-ross-to-lead-world-premiere-gatsby-musical-at-american-repertory-theater |access-date=17 March 2025 |work=Playbill.com |date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
== Artistry and recognition == Ward is primarily known for covering the work of Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim in an acoustic indie folk style inspired by Sufjan Stevens.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Eleri |date=2021-06-04 |title=Track-by-Track Breakdown: Eleri Ward on Bringing Indie-Pop to Sondheim in A Perfect Little Death, Out June 4 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/track-by-track-breakdown-eleri-ward-on-bringing-indie-pop-to-sondheim-in-a-perfect-little-death-out-june-4 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Golden |first=Noah |date=Jan 29, 2022 |title=Eleri Ward's "A Perfect Little Death" Puts An Acoustic Spin on Sondheim Songs |url=https://www.onstageblog.com/profiles/2022/1/29/eleri-wards-a-perfect-little-death-puts-an-acoustic-spin-on-sondheim-songs |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=OnStage |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Deb |date=2022-09-22 |title=New book, album, and Sunday concerts at NYC's 54 Below pay tribute to Sondheim |url=https://dctheaterarts.org/2022/09/21/new-book-album-and-sunday-concerts-at-nycs-54-below-pay-tribute-to-sondheim/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=DC Theater Arts |language=en-US}}</ref> Rob Weinert-Kendt of ''The New York Times'' wrote that she had "fused an emo Sondheim register with a familiar coffeehouse folk sound....In her hands, it’s not hard to imagine these songs as the creation of an especially gifted — if occasionally bloody-minded — indie singer-songwriter."<ref name=":0" /> Reviewing ''Keep a Tender Distance'' for ''BroadwayWorld'', Ricky Pope wrote that Ward "is quite faithful to Sondheim's melodic lines, breathing new life into these standards through harmonies and new tempos".<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |last=Pope |first=Ricky |date=Sep 18, 2022 |title=Album Review: ELERI WARD: KEEP A TENDER DISTANCE is a Sequel That Lives Up to the Original |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Album-Review-ELERI-WARD-KEEP-A-TENDER-DISTANCE-is-a-Sequel-That-Lives-Up-to-the-Original-20220918 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=BroadwayWorld |language=en}}</ref> Pope also noted her "fondness for keys that are more modal than either major or minor...a perfect match for the frequent ambivalence of some of Sondheim's more brittle lyrics," and that, in addition to folk, the album featured electronic, waltz, bossa nova, and fandango elements on some songs.<ref name=":26" /> Weinert-Kendt characterized her singing voice as a "limber, expressive soprano", encompassing both a whistle-toned falsetto and a "Fosca-like lower register",<ref name=":0" /> while Pope described it as "a supple, rangy voice that is deeply rooted in emotion and story".<ref name=":26" /> In addition to Stevens, her arrangements have also been compared to Laura Marling, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Joan Shelley.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":20" /> Noted for her fingerstyle guitar playing,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":22" /> Ward is a self-taught guitarist and "mostly an ear-based musician";<ref name=":5" />
On the subject of combining Stevens and Sondheim, Ward has noted that the two "share a poeticism that surrounds the sweet juxtaposition of beauty and darkness. They both dive right into the heart of what others might find somber and illuminate it with a sense of elegance and charm that makes that darkness palatable and enchanting."<ref name=":8" /> She has attributed her Stevens influence primarily to the albums ''Carrie & Lowell'' and ''The Age of Adz'', particularly being inspired by his use of layered guitar picking patterns and call and response repetition.<ref name=":5" />'''<ref name=":21" />''' Her version of "Finishing the Hat" uses chords inspired by Stevens' "Futile Devices".'''<ref name=":21" />''' With regard to Sondheim, Ward's approach differs from his in some ways; her arrangements prioritize melody, in contrast to Sondheim's emphasis on harmony and instrumentation,<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":22" /> and she largely avoids Sondheim's moments of harsh dissonance (with the exception of "Pretty Women", which she ends with pinging discord).<ref name=":5" /> Besides Stevens and Sondheim, her other cited influences include Caroline Polachek, Andrew Bird, Lianne La Havas, St. Vincent, and Still Woozy.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":16" /><ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Mendes |first=Nicole |date=2022-06-15 |title=Eleri Ward – Perfect (2022) |url=https://www.theothersidereviews.com/eleri-ward-perfect-2022/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=The Other Side Reviews |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":18" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gladstone |first=Jim |date=Apr 11, 2023 |title=In the Spotlight: singular talents hit local stages |url=https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=arts__culture&sc=music&id=324400 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Bay Area Reporter |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":21" /> Her version of "In Buddy's Eyes" was inspired by Barbara Cook's rendition.<ref name=":3" />
Ward has received recognition from several Broadway figures. Donna Murphy praised her "unicorn of a voice," saying that "there is nothing about Eleri that is struggling for a quality; it just all feels so fluid", while Josh Groban noted the "wonderful line" of her voice and said that she "[finds] ways to smooth the songs out and bring even more heart into the performance".<ref name=":0" /> Sondheim himself reportedly praised her interpretation of his songs.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":9" />
Outside of her Sondheim covers, Ward has also recorded two EPs of original pop music. This material was noted as having elements of R&B,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shirley |first=Emily |date=Aug 2, 2020 |title=Eleri Ward's New Single About Self Love "Do Yourself A Favor" |url=https://www.uraniumwaves.com/new-music/eleri-wards-new-single-about-self-love-do-yourself-a-favor |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Uranium Waves |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":24">{{Cite web |last=Mendes |first=Nicole |date=2021-04-27 |title=Track Review: Mess // Eleri Ward |url=https://nexusmusicblog.com/track-review-mess-eleri-ward/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Nexus Music Blog |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farah |first=Daniela |title=Eleri Ward: "Mess" é uma ode ao caos e ao pop/ R&B moderno |url=https://roadie-music.com/eleri-ward-mess-e-uma-ode-ao-caos-e-ao-pop-rb-moderno/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Roadie Music |date=May 6, 2021 |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":19" /> electropop,<ref name=":24" /><ref name=":19" /> soul,<ref name=":24" /><ref name=":23" /> dance-pop,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lerner |first=Lucy |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Premiere: Eleri Ward Releases The Life-affirming Song Do Yourself A Favour |url=https://neonmusic.co.uk/premiere-eleri-ward-releases-the-life-affirming-song-do-yourself-a-favour/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Neon Music |language=en}}</ref> folk,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Sarah |date=2021-05-02 |title=Eleri Ward's voice is a soothing summery breeze on the effortlessly joyful "Mess". |url=https://www.fruitsonic.com/post/eleri-ward-s-voice-is-a-soothing-summery-breeze-on-the-effortlessly-joyful-mess |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Fruitsonic |language=en}}</ref> and experimental pop,<ref name=":18" /> and drew comparisons to Sara Bareilles, Qveen Herby, and Miley Cyrus.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":24" /> Her single "Perfect" was said to evoke alternative pop, indie pop, 1990s pop rock, and Kate Bush-esque art pop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mogg |first=Chloe |date=2022-05-05 |title=We review the new single 'Perfect' by Eleri Ward |url=https://rgm.press/we-review-the-new-single-perfect-by-eleri-ward/review/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=RGM Press |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Franceschini |first=Vitor |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Eleri Ward questiona a perfeição em seu novo single, "Perfect" |url=https://roadie-music.com/eleri-ward-questiona-a-perfeicao-em-seu-novo-single-perfect/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Roadie Music |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cao |first=Megan |date=2022-05-15 |title=Review: "Perfect" – Eleri Ward |url=https://www.poppassionblog.com/post/review-perfect-eleri-ward |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Pop Passion Blog |language=en}}</ref> For her part, Ward described this music as a combination of Sara Bareilles, Dua Lipa, and Maggie Rogers.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":22" />
== Personal life == Ward has a partner, Jamie Moore, who she met in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=E L E R I W A R D on Instagram: "5 years with my ultimate love ❤️ @jamie.m00re I'm so lucky to have the best friend in the world to go on adventures with, to sit next to on the couch, to learn from (in so many ways), to be motivated and inspired by, to drink beer with, to love and be loved by… I cherish every moment with you, Jamie Wayne!" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc3Fwd8O80j/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Instagram |language=en}}</ref>
== Discography == {{Infobox artist discography | Artist = Eleri Ward | Studio = 2 | EP = 2 | Music videos = 7 | Singles = 11 }}
=== Studio albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row" | ''A Perfect Little Death'' | *Released: June 4, 2021 *Label: Sh-K-Boom, Ghostlight *Format: CD, LP, digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''Keep a Tender Distance'' | *Released: September 16, 2022 *Label: Sh-K-Boom, Ghostlight *Format: CD, LP, digital download |}
=== Live albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row" | ''Acoustic Sondheim: Live from Brooklyn'' | *Released: June 2, 2023 *Label: Sh-K-Boom *Format: digital download |}
=== EPs === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row" | ''Prism'' | *Released: May 1, 2020 *Label: Self-released *Format: digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''Friction'' | *Released: June 18, 2021 *Label: Self-released *Format: digital download |}
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Album !Source |- | rowspan="4" |2020 |"The Girl in the Backseat" | rowspan="2" |''Prism'' | rowspan="4" |Original |- |"Mind Reader" |- |"Losing Me" | rowspan="2" |non-album single |- |"Do Yourself a Favor" |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |"Johanna (Reprise)" |''A Perfect Little Death'' |''Sweeney Todd'' |- |"Mess" |''Friction'' | rowspan="2" |Original |- | rowspan="4" |2022 |"Perfect" |non-album single |- |"Another Hundred People" | rowspan="3" |''Keep a Tender Distance'' |''Company'' |- |"No One Is Alone" |''Into the Woods'' |- |"Not While I'm Around" |''Sweeney Todd'' |- |2023 |"Sunday" (Live in Studio) | ''Acoustic Sondheim: Live from Brooklyn'' |''Sunday in the Park with George'' |- |}
=== Music videos === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Song !Director |- | rowspan="2" |2020 |"Mind Reader | rowspan="2" |Eleri Ward |- |"Take Me To Your Garden" |- | rowspan="3" |2021 |"Mess" |Gabrielle Carrubba |- |"Johanna (Reprise)" | rowspan="2" |Katie O'Halloran |- |"More" |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |"Not While I'm Around" |Bailie de Lacy |- |"Move On" |Eleri Ward |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.eleriward.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Eleri}} Category:21st-century American singers Category:21st-century American women guitarists Category:21st-century American guitarists Category:Folk musicians from Chicago Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Stephen Sondheim Category:American indie folk musicians Category:American pop musicians Category:American TikTokers Category:American musical theatre actresses Category:Boston Conservatory at Berklee alumni Category:American sopranos