Biography
Jonathan Ellis started learning the piano at the age of three. From the age of 11 onwards, he studied at Wells Cathedral School and then moved on to the joint music course of the RNCM and Manchester University. He achieved a first-class degree from both institutions plus the PPRNCM diploma in solo piano and has since attained post-graduate level diplomas in accompaniment and chamber music, latterly studying with John Wilson.
During his time at college, he was to win many prizes as an accompanist, plus the RNCM’s two major chamber music prizes with his trio, and its annual Beethoven competition as a solo pianist. This latter success qualified him to enter the Intercollegiate Beethoven Piano Competition in London, at which he won the Audience Prize. He currently performs regularly as a soloist, as chamber musician with The Ryebank Trio, as vocal and instrumental accompanist, and choral/operatic repetiteur, and is a regular competitor in international piano competitions: besides making regular appearances for City of Manchester Opera, Bury Choral Society, Opera Seria, Heritage Opera, the Pennine Spring Music Festival and the Buxton Festival Fringe, where he has three awards and five nominations since 2010. He also works for the musical charities ‘Music in Hospitals’ and ‘Live Music Now’.