Biography

Elliot Corner is an award-winning Violist and music teacher, who graduated from the Royal College of Music, London with a BMus(Hons) in Viola Performance. Elliot studied there as a Foundation Scholar with two professors, Simon Rowland-Jones and Susie Meszaros., Elliot also participated in several masterclasses and received tuition from some internationally notable musicians including Jennifer Stumm, Jan Repko, Alina Ibragimova and Richard Lester. Elliot studied Composition as a second study as well with acclaimed composer Jonathan Pitkin, and has had works performed in many venues around the UK, including the Blüthner Piano Centre and the Carpenter's Hall.

An alumnus of Christ’s Hospital School (an Old Blue), Elliot took up the Viola in October 2011 (switching permanently from Violin) and quickly attained an ABRSM Gold Award for the highest mark in the world for their Viola Grade 8 exam (148/150), joining the Royal College of Music's Junior Department within just four months of starting to play the Viola. Elliot studied there with Violist Sarah-Jane Bradley for two years, and upon leaving in July 2013 was awarded the Freda Dinn and Ida Mabett String Prize.

Elliot has performed extensively around the country as a soloist and composer. They have enjoyed a close relationship with the Brighton Orpheus Choir as a composer, and has showcased as a featured soloist and composer in one of their concerts a few years ago. Elliot has performed as a Soloist at venues including St John's, Smith Square, The Royal College of Music, St Mary Abbot's Church (High Street Kensington), Steinway Hall, The Blüthner Piano Centre and St Peter's Church, Blatchington. Alongside his solo career, Elliot has a passion for Chamber Music and Jazz/Blues, and plays regularly in many styles with several ensembles and musicians.

Nowadays, Elliot focuses on their thriving teaching practice, working closely with up to 80 students each week privately and in schools. Elliot is currently an Associate Strings Teacher at the Tiffin School for Boys, Kingston, and St Richard Reynolds Catholic College, Twickenham. They also work as an Associate Teacher for the Richmond Music Trust, visiting the Vineyard School each Wednesday to provide instrumental lessons to a large number of children there too. In addition to their peripatetic teaching work, Elliot works privately as an instrumental and music theory tutor, working with young students and adult learners of all ages on Violin, Viola and Music Theory.

Elliot also maintains an exciting instrumental career as well, primarily working as a backing instrumentalist for live bands and as a recording artist in many studios around London and beyond. 

Life

'“I was born in Brighton, UK, and my roots are firmly planted in this vibrant, artistic, and inclusive city on the south coast of the UK. I moved to London in 2013 to study at the Royal College of Music, and stayed there, currently living in Ham, Richmond, South-West London with my wife Silvia Carrus, who is an Illustrator and Cartoonist.

I am non-binary, and use ‘they/them’ pronouns. I also only use my first name “Elliot” in all school contexts with pupils (please don’t call me ‘Mr/Ms Corner’, and don’t use ‘Sir’’/’Miss’ with me!)

Aged 4, I discovered an innate sense of musicality when my class teacher discovered that I had perfect pitch, after noticing me singing perfectly in tune during a class singing session. Shortly after this, I began learning the Violin. Elliot attended Christ's Hospital school in Horsham from 2006-2013, before winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music from 2013-2017.

As far as personal interests are concerned, I like to compose, read, cook, drink artisanal coffee, and enjoy a video game or two where time permits.

In my free time, I have often spent time working in campaigning and awareness in politics, specifically around the fields of Arts Policy, LGBTIQA+ rights, and around the issues surrounding the expansion of Heathrow and London City Airports. I am a keen environmentalist who drives an electric vehicle, and have worked in web design and freelance marketing consultancy for an eclectic mix of political campaign organisations and professional musicians, alongside building websites and refining biographies and press kits for many musical colleagues as well via my previous business ‘Promote Classical’.”