Elizabeth (Lily) Holliday joined the Conservatory in 2004 as an instructor of English as a second language (ESL) and has been teaching English for almost 30 years. She was instrumental in creating the Music and English Intensive Program (MEIP) and has contributed to the growth and development of the Conservatory's ESL program over the years. In fall 2015, Holliday became an instructor in the freshman writing workshop. A current focus of research is the work of Henry James.
In every teaching position she has held, Holliday has taken a leading role in writing updated and integrated curricula. She has taught at Overbrook School for the Blind, the University of California, Santa Barbara, Temple University, Boston University, and Harvard University. Harvard University honored Holliday with an award for excellence in teaching in 2004.
Holliday has conducted numerous workshops in cross-cultural communication, culture shock, and teaching pedagogy at a variety of venues over the years. She started out as a teacher of meditation and has incorporated some of these techniques into her workshops. She is also a fine artist, specializing in oil portraiture based in the lineage of the Boston School, which had its inception in the early 20th century. She has exhibited in Massachusetts and Vermont and is an associate member of the Guild of Boston Artists.
Holliday earned her B.A. and M.A. in English, teaching English as a second language, and cross-cultural communication from Vermont College of Norwich University.