Ted is a SILVER DIARIES WRITER (15 – 24 published stories) His stories are written using a nom de plume (pen name)
Ted Ellis was born in Welland, Ontario in the 1950’s. He attended elementary and high school in the same city and took up piano at age 8.
A man of eclectic interests, he went to Humber College in the early 70s to take the Funeral Director’s training. After a two-year apprenticeship, he was licensed and worked full-time for two years in Toronto. He continued working part-time while embarking on his studies for his Associate diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music, then his Associate from Western Ontario Conservatory of Music, followed by attaining his licentiate and fellowship diplomas from Trinity College in London, England.
An avid motorcycle enthusiast, he got his license in 1976 and has been riding ever since. Ted also taught the motorcycle riding program at Niagara College for a time. In fact, it was on a cross-country motorcycle trip that he met his future wife in 1979. They have two grown girls as well as two grandsons, ages 4 and 6.
After considering creating his own group music program for young people, Ted discovered the “Music for Young Children”® program in 1988. He immediately recognized the musical and pedagogical value of the program and taught it for 29 years, while also carrying a studio of private students.
Ted was active in the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association, and was a founding member of the Canadian National Conservatory of Music. He has experience as both a piano examiner and an adjudicator.
Having taught piano and theory for 54 years, he now offers his services as a musical/piano coach on an appointment basis, and thoroughly enjoys a partnership in duo piano performances with another pianist who is a former student.
Other interests he has span from classic movies, enjoying live theatre, reading, flying a drone, and woodworking. Ted credits one of the founders of Diaries, Janet Benedict, for igniting the spark that initiated his first attempts at writing. He hopes to continue to write to bring a smile, a tear, or some wisdom to Diaries readers.