Ellen studied piano with Robin Wood at the University of Victoria and Piano Pedagogy with Winifred Wood at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Her studies have also included harpsichord with Eric Schwandt, Colin Tilney, and Doreen Oke. She received Suzuki certification with Merlin Thompson and holds memberships in the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers Association and the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has collaborated with both singers and instrumentalists at the BC Festival of the Performing Arts and accompanist at MusicFest Canada and the Kathaumixw International Choral Festival. More recently, Ellen assisted the music ministry as pianist for Trinity United Church in Nanaimo at the Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre from 2007 to 2015.
As a piano instructor Ellen draws on the Suzuki principles of learning to frame her teaching. She believes that parental involvement is crucial and that with encouragement and disciplined practice,” every child can learn”. Currently teaching group and private lessons at the Victoria Conservatory of Music she strives to create lessons that are inspiring and motivate students to have fun playing the piano.