Monica Ellis
Monica Ellis
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Bassoon
Monica Ellis, bassoonist, is a native of Pittsburgh and began her musical studies at the age of four with her father, who was a jazz saxophonist. The New York Concert Review states, "Truly it was the excellent Monica Ellis providing deceptively graceful agility whose musical feet were as strong roots to the tree." Ellis is a founding member of the Grammy-nominated wind quintet, Imani Winds. She is active in the New York freelance community and has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Windscape, New Haven Orchestra, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre Orchestra, Spoleto-Italy Festival and Tanglewood Music Center, just to name a few.
Ellis received her bachelor of music from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, studying with George Sakakeeny. She received her master of music from The Juilliard School and also attended Manhattan School of Music in the Professional Studies, Orchestral Performance Program, studying with Frank Morelli at both institutions.
She is currently on the faculty of Mannes College of Music Preparatory Division, Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, and Juilliard's Music Advancement Program, a Saturday music school for talented African-American and Latino children.
