About Elliott Grabill
Elliott Grabill is a prolific composer, pianist, and teacher. His compositions have been heralded as "haunting, imaginative, new, and beautiful," and have been performed in the across the US, England, Serbia, with an expected premiere in Italy. His brass quintet, Rust Belt, was selected for performance at the June in Buffalo new music festival, and his choral piece Nantucket was showcased at the Kennedy Center. His electronic music has won recognition in both Europe and the United States. He plays regularly in the Baltimore / Washington area, and collaborates with choreographers, filmmakers, poets, and other musicians.
Elliott fell in love with classical music at a very young age. He began piano lessons at age 6 and started writing music in high school. He studied composition under Matthew Burtner and Judith Shatin at the University of Virginia, as well as working under David Cutler at the Brevard Music Center. In addition holding a bachelor's degree in music, Elliott double majored in mathematics and takes an active interest in poetry, philosophy, and other liberal arts. Following graduation Elliott moved to New York City to study under jazz legend Kirk Nurock. He currently studies with Judah Adashi, and will enroll into the studio of Pulitzer Prize composer Michael Hersch this fall. He expects to receive a master's in music at the Peabody Conservatory in 2017.
He was the composer in residence at the Music Camp at Madeira for three years, teaching composition, music theory, and improvisation. Elliott Grabill also taught mathematics in Fairfax County Public Schools for six years. In addition to music, Elliott enjoys hiking, canoeing, camping, going to concerts, and spending time with friends.
As a teacher, Elliott believes self expression is an essential component of long term happiness and personal well-being. Music is not just a means of getting into a good college; it's a way of making lifelong friends and becoming a better person. It fosters confidence and allows a person to discover what truly makes him or her unique. In an increasingly specialized world, music may be one of the only remaining ways in which a person can create something that reflects their inner beauty.
His music can listened to at elliottgrabill.com.
