BRANDON ELLIOTT
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Director of Choral & Vocal Activities, Moorpark College
Artistic & Executive Director, Choral Arts Initiative Brandon Elliott enjoys an expansive career as a conductor-educator, musician, arts leader, and consultant. He is the Founder & Artistic Director of Choral Arts Initiative, an award-winning new music choral ensemble based in Orange County, California. Under his leadership, Choral Arts Initiative has enjoyed critical acclaim and recognition for its artistic excellence, musical innovation, and dedication to performing music from a vibrant roster of living composers. With a passion for new music, he has conducted the premiere of over 70 works.
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Equally passionate about teaching, training, and mentoring musicians, Brandon is the Director of Choral & Vocal Activities at Moorpark College. He conducts three ensembles and oversees program area courses, such as opera workshop, applied voice, vocal technique, and vocal development. He also teaches special topics such as Introduction to Music Business and Introduction to Music Education. He regularly serves as an adjudicator, clinician, preparatory conductor, guest conductor, and guest speaker for festivals, competitions, and local K-12 programs. He is currently a semifinalist for the 2022 GRAMMY Music Educator Award.
As a vocal musician, Brandon has sung with various professional and contracted choruses. Previous engagements include singing under Craig Hella-Johnson in the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, Pacific Chorale with John Alexander, and various ad hoc ensembles for artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Beck, Star Wars Live, and Zelda Live. He teaches voice students in classical, musical theatre, and pop genres, with current and former students performing on Broadway, recording projects, and various stages across the country.
Brandon’s expertise in leadership and change management paired with experience in the music industry allows him to work as a consultant for various clients and industry sectors. He is well-versed in navigating the mainstream music industry, from managing pop artists to serving as a negotiation advisor for major record label deals. He works with various entertainment entities in the entertainment sector to navigate the intersection of music usage and DEI initiatives. He also consults corporations on leadership development, new employee onboarding, training, and employee motivation in the private sector.
Brandon maintains professional memberships with ACDA, NAfME, MACCC, and Chorus America. His writings have been featured in both Tactus and The Music Educators Journal. Additionally, he has presented on choral entrepreneurship at the 2016 and 2017 Chorus America national conferences and was a panelist for the CCDA Choral Leadership Academy. He currently serves on the California Choral Directors Association board as the Repertoire & Resources Chair for Community and Professional choruses. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a specialist certificate in Music Business Leadership from the Berklee College of Music, and a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.
As a vocal musician, Brandon has sung with various professional and contracted choruses. Previous engagements include singing under Craig Hella-Johnson in the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, Pacific Chorale with John Alexander, and various ad hoc ensembles for artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Beck, Star Wars Live, and Zelda Live. He teaches voice students in classical, musical theatre, and pop genres, with current and former students performing on Broadway, recording projects, and various stages across the country.
Brandon’s expertise in leadership and change management paired with experience in the music industry allows him to work as a consultant for various clients and industry sectors. He is well-versed in navigating the mainstream music industry, from managing pop artists to serving as a negotiation advisor for major record label deals. He works with various entertainment entities in the entertainment sector to navigate the intersection of music usage and DEI initiatives. He also consults corporations on leadership development, new employee onboarding, training, and employee motivation in the private sector.
Brandon maintains professional memberships with ACDA, NAfME, MACCC, and Chorus America. His writings have been featured in both Tactus and The Music Educators Journal. Additionally, he has presented on choral entrepreneurship at the 2016 and 2017 Chorus America national conferences and was a panelist for the CCDA Choral Leadership Academy. He currently serves on the California Choral Directors Association board as the Repertoire & Resources Chair for Community and Professional choruses. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a specialist certificate in Music Business Leadership from the Berklee College of Music, and a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.