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 studying with John Gough, and afterwards attained postgraduate-level diplomas in accompaniment and chamber music under 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, its annual Beethoven competition as a solo pianist, and subsequently the Audience Prize at the Intercollegiate Beethoven competition. He currently performs regularly as a soloist, as chamber musician with The Ryebank Trio, as vocal and instrumental accompanist, choral/operatic repetiteur or musical director, and has also been a competitor in international piano competitions: besides making regular appearances with City of Manchester Opera, Opera Seria, Heritage Opera, Bury Choral Society, the Pennine Spring Music Festival and the Buxton Festival Fringe (where he is three times the winner of the “Best Solo Musician” prize). He also performs with “Classical Evolution”, and musical charities “Music in Hospitals” and “Live Music Now”.