Ellen is a "Jersey Girl' who made up little songs as a child and sang them to herself. She was exposed to music and theatre by her mother, who sang locally.
   Early influences were Nat King Cole, Barbara Streisand, Jobim, Brazilian artists, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro and Stevie Wonder. She sang along with the horn lines on swing band recordings.
   She performed in duos and groups from the Jersey Shore to upstate New York. Studied voice at The Monmouth Conservatory of Music with founder, Felix Molzer, a mentor who became a lifelong friend. Sang in choruses, ensembles, as church soloist and Gregorian Chant Scola. MCM Opera Company: "The Marriage of Figaro", Cherubino , "Amahl and the Night Visitors", the mother. Was the spoken voice of a violin in the recording "Kammermusik", a musical translation of poems of Joseph Weinheber, by Felix Molzer.
   BFA in Drama/Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory of Music. Toured in Shakespeare Rep and in the First National Co. of "Annie" as Oliver Warbuck's secretary, Grace Farrell, with a cast that included veterans Ruth Kobart, Norwood Smith and the then future Tony winner, Gary Beach.
   She has been a teaching artist in private schools. Influences are many,including the great ladies; Billie, Ella, Sarah, Carmen, Lena, Shirley Horn, Betty Carter, Anita O'day; Louis Armstrong,Tony Bennett, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Bill Evans.
   Has long been associated with legendary bebop pianist, Barry Harris, in his classes and concerts, wrote lyrics for his tune "Like This" and has written lyrics for Onaje Allan Gumbs. She has collaborated musically with master jazz pianist Burt Eckoff over a span of twenty years and with master saxophonist/composer, James Marentic, in The Crossroads Orchestra, Coltrane Connection, and as his guest vocalist/lyricist at BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop, premiered his work, "Meridians" at Merkin Hall and has performed with him at The Artist's Quarter in St. Paul.
   Was honored to sing the premieres of works by other BMI Workshop composers: "Vipassana" by Joe Phillips, in good company with vocalists Kate McGarry, Charanee Wade, Julie Hardy and Amy Cervini, and "Five Poems by Nabokov" by pianist composer Roberta Piket. She has sung at venues that include The Top of the Hub in Boston, Count Basie Theatre, Tramps (sat in with the late Charles Brown) Birdland, Avery Fisher Hall with the original "Spiritus" (6 part harmony group) The Water Club, The Garage with Howard Williams Big Band, St.Peter's Church and The Harlem Meer Festival.
   Last year she appeared in the new play, "The Reunion, Miles, Bird and Trane" by James Marentic, at the 45th Street Theatre. Currently under consideration for production, the play features film actor, Michael Wright ('The Five Heartbeats") past Audelco nominees, Marcus Naylor and Stacey Dotson and is directed by Chuck Patterson (actor,"The Five Heartbeats")
   "Fly Like This" is Ellen's debut CD and features Burt Eckoff on piano, Charles Davis, tenor saxophone, Leroy Williams, drums and the late great bassist Walter "Bookie" Booker.