Born in Yeovil, England, Elizabeth van der Woude (née Parsons) discovered her love for choral singing at the age of 11 when she sang with the Somerset Youth Choir. Whilst studying voice under Viola Nagel and Ian Comboy at Bath Spa University, Elizabeth sang with the acclaimed chamber choir, Bath Camerata, directed by former King's Singer, Nigel Perrin, performing as a soloist in works such as Vaughan Williams' Mass in G minor and Wymondham Chants by Geoffrey Poole.

In 2002 Elizabeth moved to Munich, where she worked until 2018 as a peripatetic vocal teacher and freelance musician. She works as a soprano in several ensembles including in the World Choir for Peace, Chamber Choir of Europe, Chor der Klangverwaltung, Munich Philharmonic Choir, Vokalkappelle of the Theatinerkirche and conducts and sings in the award-winning Munich a cappella group, bar-nineteen. Elizabeth is also known in the field of project/event and choral management.

Elizabeth has previously performed with professional ensembles such as Gärtnerplatz Theater Opera Chorus, Claritas Vocalis and Bath Camerata,