Music MBA

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ABOUT US

John Linnon Ellis began his career in music at a very early age. At 9 years of age he was already busy playing Guitar for the elderly at local Nursing Homes during the holidays. By age 13 he made his debut as First Chair Alto Saxophonist for the Honsinger Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Saginaw, MI. As the youngest member of the Orchestra, he was exposed to the highest levels of musicianship and professionalism and soon became a Virtuoso in his own right.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mr. and Mrs. Honsinger, John was privileged to tour and perform epic Classical music at most of the major Cathedrals throughout Canada, Europe and the United States as well as perform and tour with the Radio City Rockettes. Managed by his Mother (Mae Owens) and the late Mr. Herman Morris (Stevie Wonder’s uncle), the young Mr. Ellis (14-15), performed alongside the likes of Al Green and David Ruffin, in addition to opening concerts for James Brown, Bootsie Collins, the The Isley Brothers and many others as a freelance Musician/ Arranger/Composer. Before his 17th Birthday, this young musician found himself on stage at the Apollo Theatre, New York, as the Bandleader for James Brown, Edwin Starr, The Brass Byrd Band and Bobby Byrd (The Famous Flames) and receiving several standing ovations. We were so good that night that Smokey Robinson cried. The late teens and early twenties are busy years for John. At this point in his career he, is a much sought after Musician/Arranger and continues to record, perform and tour with top names in the business including the Dramatics, Chaka Kahn, the Brass Byrd Band (Bobby Byrd back up) and Millie Jackson. Tired of being a big fish in a little pond, John left his native Saginaw, MI for Los Angeles, CA in 1976 at age 21.

Since moving to L.A., John has continued to perform with world class talent such as Keb-Mo, Cuba Gooding Sr., The Intruders, Ray Parker Jr., Harold Land Sr,… etc. In addition, he has become an established and a well respected Music Educator and Business Consultant in the Fine Arts and Entertainment Industries. John teaches private and group instruction for: Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Guitars, Piano Keyboards, Percussion, Music Theory, Harmony, Sight-Reading, Sight-Singing, Jazz Improvisation, Song Writing, Arranging, Composing, Music Business, Intellectual Property, Music Publishing, and Performance Coaching. Previous teaching posts include: Artist Clinician at Yamaha Band Instruments of America; Director of Woodwind Studies at The Macy Gray Academy of Musi , North Hollywood, CA.; Music Instructor at Sierra University, Santa Monica, CA. and Education Manager at The Saturday Conservatory of Music, Pasadena, CA. As a consulting MBA, John specializes in empowering Musicians and Independent Recording Artists with his unique combination of street smarts, academic skills and many years of successful experience as a performer and entrepreneur. His reputation as a problem solver is well deserved. Currently, Mr. Ellis is a Grammy Nominated Music Educator with students at Guitar Center Inc., Music MBA LLC and Heritage Home Conservatory in addition to serving as Board Member at The Saturday Conservatory of Music. Also, John offers Classroom Management Training for University credits and is writing a Music Education book for the Center for Teacher Effectiveness. His formal musical training includes attending the Honsinger Conservatory of Music, MI as a full scholarship recipient (age 13) for two years and at Delta College, MI, as a Music Undergraduate. John has received world class training in Classical Studies from Instructors like Conductor Dr. Leonard B. Smith of the Detroit Philharmonic Orchestra, Dr. Lloyd B. Honsinger of the Honsinger Conservatory of Music, and Dr. Grant Smith of Buena Vista School District, MI and many, many other great teachers and mentors.