John Ellis is Associate Professor Piano and Director of Graduate Studies in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Michigan where he also serves as Director of Community and Preparatory Programs. He is in demand as a recitalist, collaborative artist, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer.

His performances have included recitals at Indiana University, the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Iowa. He has lectured at major national and international conferences including The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (Chicago, IL), Music Teachers National Conference (Kansas City, MO), the Sibelius Academy and the University of Helsinki (International Conference on Musical Signification). His recording of the piano works of African-American composer Arthur Cunningham (1928–1997) was praised by the American Record Guide for its “loving warmth and impeccable technique.” Fanfare Magazine called the music of Cunningham “gracious, formal composition that is imbued with the flavors of jazz, gospel, and the blues. John Ellis plays it in just that spirit, with a sweet amiability.”