Kenneth Ellison was born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. From a young age, Ellison showed a natural talent for music, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion. Ellison began his musical education at the age of five, studying piano with his mother. He quickly progressed and started taking lessons with other renowned pianists in the city. At the age of ten, he started playing the cello, following in his father's footsteps. He continued to study both instruments throughout his childhood and teenage years. In 2003, Ellison was accepted into the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied piano with renowned pianist Yoheved Kaplinsky and cello with cellist Joel Krosnick. During his time at Juilliard, Ellison won several awards and competitions, including the Juilliard Concerto Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. After graduating from Juilliard in 2007, Ellison began his professional career as a soloist and chamber musician. He quickly gained recognition for his virtuosic playing and musical sensitivity. He has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of Ellison's most memorable performances was his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2010, where he performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5. The performance was hailed by critics as "a triumph of virtuosity and musicality." Ellison has also performed at many of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Ravinia Festival. In addition to his solo career, Ellison is also an accomplished chamber musician. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Lang Lang. He is a founding member of the Ellison String Quartet, which has performed at many of the world's leading concert halls. Ellison's recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance in 2015. His recordings of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas and the complete Bach cello suites are considered to be some of the finest interpretations of these works. In addition to his performing career, Ellison is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught masterclasses at many of the world's leading music schools, including the Juilliard School, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Conservatoire de Paris. He is currently a professor of piano at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Ellison has received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 2012, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is given to outstanding young musicians who show exceptional talent and promise for the future. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant," which recognizes individuals who have shown extraordinary creativity and potential in their field. Despite his many accomplishments, Ellison remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to push himself to new heights and to explore new musical horizons. His passion for music and his commitment to excellence have made him one of the most respected and admired musicians of his generation.

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