Born in Edinburgh, Christopher Elton studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he achieved the unusual distinction of gaining the Academy’s highest performing award - the Dip. RAM - on both piano and cello.

He was a prizewinner in several British and international piano competitions, playing and broadcasting both as a soloist and in chamber music. At the same time, he worked as a freelance cellist with major London orchestras.

Many of Elton’s students have won international awards, including first prizes in the Van Cliburn, London, “Top of The World”, Shenzen and Montreal International Piano Competitions, and four were finalists in successive Leeds International Piano Competitions. Several of his students are now acclaimed recording artists, including Freddy Kempf, Yevgeny Sudbin, Joanna MacGregor, Inon Barnatan and Benjamin Grosvenor.

Christopher Elton has also been much in demand overseas, giving masterclasses and serving as a jury member at such international competitions as Tchaikovsky, Cliburn, Dublin, Leeds, Busoni (Bolzano), Beethoven Vienna, etc.

Mr. Elton was Head of Keyboard at the Royal Academy of Music, London for 24 years. In 2002 the title of Professor of the University of London was conferred on him. He still maintains a large class of students at the Royal Academy of Music.