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Brandon Elliott is a conductor, tenor, music educator, and arts entrepreneur. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Choral Arts Initiative, which has garnered regional and national attention. Under his leadership, Choral Arts Initiative has been ranked as one of Orange County's "Best Choirs" (CBS Los Angeles), and was named the Winner for the American Prize in Choral Performance (American Prize Foundation). In March 2017, Choral Arts Initiative released its inaugural album, How to Go On: The Choral Works of Dale Trumbore, featuring the world premiere recording of a 35-minute secular requiem and other works by Trumbore. While experienced in a wide body of repertoire, Brandon has a strong passion for 20th and particularly 21st-century music literature. He has conducted and premiered dozens of choral compositions by emerging composers throughout the world. In his pursuit to promote the works of living composers, Brandon maintains a choral series with MusicSpoke.
As a professional vocal musician, Brandon regularly performs in professional and semi-professional ensembles. Recent engagements include singing in the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble with Craig Hella Johnson, and Pacific Chorale with John Alexander, as well as a variety of contracted ensembles in the Los Angeles region for artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Beck, and Zelda Live.
Brandon is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Moorpark College, where he conducts the choirs and teaches courses in Musicianship, Applied Voice/Vocal Techniques, and Music Appreciation. With a strong passion for teaching students with both musical and entrepreneurial skills, Brandon has worked on curriculum approved at the state level to teach courses in Music Business. He serves as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor for festivals and honor choirs throughout Southern California.
Brandon is actively involved with Chorus America. He served on the Choral Ecosystem Forum panel, and has co-presented at the 2016 Chorus America National Conference. In addition to Chorus America, Brandon is a member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) as well as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), where his writings have been featured in both Tactus and the Music Educators Journal. He also serves as a grant reviewer for a national arts funding organization. Brandon maintains memberships with other organizations, including the Recording Academy, California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and Music Association of California Community Colleges (MACCC). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from California State University – Fullerton School of Music, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a certificate in Music Business Leadership through the Berklee College of Music.
