Biography

Robbie Ellis was born on Auckland’s sunny North Shore in 1984, and first started composing at the age of 15 while attending Westlake Boys High School. While in high school he was a finalist in young composers’ competitions with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and 175 East.

From 2003 to 2006 he took a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music conjoint at The University of Auckland in Music, History, Languages, Theatre and other such delightful things, and progressed to a BMus(Hons) in Composition in 2007 under John Elmsly, Eve de Castro-Robinson and John Coulter. In his time at university he won the Douglas Lilburn Trust Competition, the Douglas Mews Prize in Choral Composition, and the Junior Bishop Scholarship.

Robbie has performed as a pianist, bass guitarist, double bassist, singer, percussionist and trumpeter in orchestras, choirs, jazz groups, and bands in styles as diverse as ska, funk, metal, Latin and bluegrass. His particular specialty is music for improvised theatre (including Theatresports), working with companies such as ConArtists, The Improvisors and Wellington Improvisation Troupe. Robbie also has experience in more rehearsed theatre, including for Tim Bray Productions, Hot Pink Productions, University of Auckland Summer Shakespeare and Stage Two Productions.

He is now based in Wellington, where he works as a radio producer and presenter, composes part-time and plays lots of improvi.

• Works (6)