Ellie Steemson – Freelance Saxophonist and Teacher
After being handed a recorder aged five, Ellie developed a lifelong passion for woodwind instruments. Following a short detour to the violin, she began playing the saxophone a few years later. The clarinet and flute followed soon after, and she now enjoys a busy career as a freelance saxophonist and teacher based in Fife, Scotland, where she lives by the sea with partner Kevin and a small grey cat named Stan.
After studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Ellie has gone on to perform in a wide range of settings on saxophone, clarinet and flute. She is a member of Workers Union Ensemble and the Scottish Saxophone Ensemble, and particularly enjoys playing for musical theatre which has seen her perform throughout the UK with shows such as Sister Act, Top Hat and Funny Girl, as well as working for local groups around Edinburgh and Fife.
With a diverse musical background including jazz and improvisation as well as classical performance, Ellie is a versatile musician with a wide range of skills. Recent performances include the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto with Tayside Symphony Orchestra, ‘Chicago’ at the summer season of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, and the pantomime at the Glasgow King’s Theatre.
Ellie also loves working with aspiring saxophonists of all ages and abilities. Alongside running workshops and ensembles, she works in one-to-one and group lessons with students of all ages. She currently teaches at ESMS in Edinburgh, and runs Fife Sax School where she works with individuals and groups on their saxophone-playing and musicianship.
