The title of this text box is “Pull quote”. I’m supposed to write a short spiel “which will give browsers an indication of [my] creative perspective”. But when I see the words “pull quote”, I can’t help but think of a quote you’d use to pull, i.e. a pick-up line. So… is that a ladder in your pocket, or is your daddy a thief?

Biography

Robbie Ellis was born on Auckland’s sunny North Shore and started composing at the age of 15. From 2003 to 2007 he attended the University of Auckland, studying Composition with John Elmsly, Eve de Castro-Robinson and John Coulter; as well as taking Theatre, Languages and History.

Since graduating with a BMus(Hons) and a BA/BMus, he has continued to compose dots-on-paper music, winning the Orchestra Choice Prize at the 2009 NZSO/Todd Corporation Young Composer Awards and participating in the 2010-11 APO Composer Workshops for actor and orchestra. He’s also won Best Music in the 2009 Two Day Plays competition, and Best Original Song in the Wellington section of the 2011 48 Hours Film Competition.

As a performing musician Robbie has played piano, bass guitar, double bass, percussion, trumpet, trombone and has sung in orchestras, choirs, jazz groups, and bands of styles as diverse as ska, funk, metal, Latin and bluegrass. His particular performance specialty is music for improvised theatre (including Theatresports), working with companies such as ConArtists, The Improvisors and Wellington Improvisation Troupe to create both short-form and long-form improv, including dozens of improvised musicals. Robbie also has experience in scripted theatre as a sound designer, composer, actor and director, and also performs stand-up comedy.

Robbie is now based in Wellington, where he works as a radio producer and presenter, composes part-time and plays lots of improv. In February 2012 he will take up the University of Otago Mozart Fellowship in Dunedin.

Selected Works

• Works (20)
• Awards (1)
• Resources (1)
• Events (1)
• Media On Demand (1)