About Ellie

Musical Background

Ellie Harrison is an Australian violist, violinist, teacher and writer based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, she has also lived and worked in Berlin and Nuremberg.

Ellie completed both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Studies in Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium, where she studied with Dr John Curro AM MBE. She later continued her viola studies in Berlin with Walter Küssner of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2018, Ellie was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Emerging Artist Fellowship, which supported her further studies and professional development in Europe.

As a freelance musician and soloist, Ellie has performed extensively in Australia and internationally, touring and working with orchestras and ensembles in Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Germany, France and Austria. Highlights of her early career include performing Alfred Hill’s Viola Concerto and Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei as a soloist with the Queensland Youth Orchestra.

Ellie also has more than ten years of experience performing and organising chamber music for weddings, corporate events and private functions.

Teaching

Teaching is a central part of Ellie’s musical life. She has more than ten years of experience teaching violin and viola to children, teenagers and adults, from complete beginners through to more advanced students.

Her approach is creative, supportive and individual. Ellie believes that developing a strong technical foundation is important, but that learning an instrument should also encourage curiosity, imagination and a genuine enjoyment of music.

Improvisation and composition are a regular part of her teaching, alongside repertoire, technique, ensemble playing and musicianship. Ellie enjoys finding different ways for each student to connect with music and develop their own musical voice.

In Germany, Ellie has taught at the Musikschule Nürnberg, Modern Music School Nürnberg and the Franconian International School. She currently teaches at the Frankfurt International School's Wiesbaden campus as well as in her own private music studio in central Wiesbaden.

Ellie also leads creative music workshops for children and adults, with programmes exploring ensemble playing, improvisation, composition and other ways of making music together.

Concerts & Events

Alongside her teaching, Ellie performs at concerts, private events and special occasions, both as a solo musician and together with her husband, bass-baritone James Young.

Her programmes often bring together classical music with Scottish and Irish traditional music. Ellie’s love of Celtic music began during her student years and has remained an important part of her musical life ever since. James’s Scottish heritage has also become a wonderful source of inspiration for their performances together.

Get in Touch

If you are interested in violin or viola lessons in Wiesbaden or online, creative music workshops, or live music for an event, please get in touch through the Contact page or email Ellie directly ellielouise.harrison@hotmail.com