contraform, verb. The process by which an individual, upon pressure from external forces to conform to a specific shape, counter-forms to take up space in the absolute opposite of the other's desired form. Antonym of conform.  Noun, feminine:  contraforma. 

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Contraforma  is a nom d'archet for Mercedes Yvonne Lysaker, cellist.

A classically trained musician, she holds degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she studied at both the college and pre-college level. 

After spending time as an orchestral musician, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in music teaching at the college level. She attended Columbia University Teachers College, and she works as a teaching artist in the city. 

Her obsession with electric strings and all things amplified brought an interest in revisiting  classical repertoire, this time with the intention of augmenting difference - playing it the way she hears it, regardless of performance practice and the classical world's fixation with absolute perfection. 

As Contraforma, she performs classical fusion as well as metal and alternative, composing and recording from her home studio. Her interests lie in performing classical and pre-existing works in a new way, bringing out different elements that may be overlooked or ignored in conventional presentations. Her original pieces are often highly improvisatory, with elements of Jewish mystical music combined with ethereal and amplified sound-scapes.  She produces all her work herself, gaining experience as a self-taught audio engineer. 

She performs on an NS Design CR4 electric cello and a c. 1930 Roth acoustic cello.