Ellie Abbott
Trombone
Ellie Abbott is an American trombonist whose career spans orchestral performance, solo pursuits, and a commitment to expanding the trombone repertoire. This fall, she begins studies at the Hochschule der Künste Bern in Switzerland with renowned trombonist Ian Bousfield, following the completion of her Master’s degree in Trombone Performance at Northwestern University, where she studied with Michael Mulcahy, R. Douglas Wright, Randall Hawes, and Reed Capshaw. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Trombone performance from Ohio University, with Dr. Lucas Borges.
Orchestrally, Ellie has performed with several orchestras in the Greater Chicago area. As an associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, she has performed in multiple concerts with the orchestra, including on bass trumpet. She has also served as a substitute with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, performed with the Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra, and, in 2024, appeared with the inaugural NATO Symphony Orchestra alongside the American Pops Orchestra at the NATO Summit.
Ellie’s lecture recital series, “Bridging Cultures: An Exploration of Japanese Compositions for Trombone in American Standard Repertoire”, combined scholarly research, a recording project, and a comprehensive database of solo trombone works by Japanese composers. She presented this work at the 2024 International Trombone Festival in Fort Worth, TX, and the International Women’s Brass Conference in Mito, Japan, bringing her research and solo performances to international audiences.
A winner of the 2025 Ohio University Concerto Competition, Ellie has also advanced in several international auditions and competitions, including the Berlin Philharmoniker Karajan Akademie audition, the Southeast Trombone Symposium Excerpt Competition, and the Thailand International Trombone Festival Solo Competition. Ellie is recognized as an S.E. Shires Rising Artist.
