BIOGRAPHY:

I am a pianist and composer and have studied music throughout my life.   I began taking lessons when I was five.   Classical music formed the bulk of my training, but from an early age I developed a love of composition.   I began my teaching career in college after a string of life-changing teachers directed me towards a career in music. I've studied music at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, and I spent two years in the composition program at USC's Thorton School of Music.   I have a bachelor's degree from Cal State University at Northridge in English Literature.   I combine my literature and music studies in my passion for songwriting and musical theater composition.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, I've lived in LA for seven years.   I now live on the Westside with my husband, Noah, who is also a composer.   We fell in love while composing a duet for piano and violin, so we're big believers in the power of music!  We've enjoyed the creative opportunities this city has to offer.

I enjoy teaching not just what to play, but how to play as well.   That is, using the techniques learned in classical training to create and express in a personal way. Teaching the love of music is just as important as the technique.  I also try to fill in gaps that I experienced in my own piano lessons growing up.   I attempt to provide my young students with the knowledge and skill to pursue music at the college level or in a professional capacity if they so choose.   This includes exploring all aspects of music so that young students have awareness of the musical opportunities available to them: performing, composing, songwriting, creating music media, music technology, etc.   In my own lessons growing up, the opportunities my skills afforded me was not something either I or my parents were fully aware of, and I try to make up for that in my teaching.

~ Ellie