“But that was only the beginning,” she continues. “I trained for over 12 months, including Basic, Officer Candidate School, and Officer Leadership Course before going to my first unit as a conductor and Associate Bandmaster. It was a great privilege to lead hundreds of musicians from all over the world who had attended renowned conservatories, like Julliard. I traveled the country, worked with world-class musicians, played for dignitaries, and made incredible music.”
rising star
Elizabeth ELLIOTT By Ruth Gnirk | Photos By Scott Golmic
Through their example, Elizabeth learned the importance of investing in people, the community, and real estate. She saw that generational wealth produced greater opportunities to share love and light with others. Elizabeth dedicated herself to a lifelong journey of striving for excellence in everything she pursued. Her biggest passion was music. It was the language of her heart and she “spoke” it eloquently. While a student at the University of Florida, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and met her husband Scott.
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The pandemic shutdowns made it difficult to find childcare for Oliver, balance motherhood, and be a fully-committed Army officer. As the fifth female officer of the U.S. Army Band, Elizabeth had dreamed of staying in the Army until becoming a Colonel. However, losing Madison had taught Elizabeth that her highest goal was not reaching a status, it was being present with her family.
Change of Perspective In 2018, the music in Elizabeth’s world came to a sudden stop when her first child, Madison Hope, was stillborn. Soon after, Elizabeth commissioned a piece of music to be written in Madison’s honor.
A L i fe o f L ov e a n d L i g h t Elizabeth Elliott’s family has lived and served in St. Augustine since 1913. Her grandfather sold real estate and insurance near Castillo de San Marco, her uncle was an architect who worked on the Casa Monica, and her parents owned and flipped countless investment properties all over Northeast Florida.
“We had to drive with a U-Haul and a newborn, and then I started a new job in a new place with a new baby!” She reflects, “I’ve learned a lot about empathy for those who experience the moving process.”
A month after their graduation in 2011, they were married. Elizabeth then accepted a full ride to earn her master’s degree in Music Performance and Conducting at the University of Miami. She was surrounded by people of excellence who challenged her to perfection. In time, she would be recognized by the New York Times and through National Public Radio for her skill and passion as a musician.
“The joy from a great performance would last only a few days,” she muses, “but the joy of my babies is deeper and lasts a lifetime.”
“My final concert I conducted in the Army was the World Premiere of ‘Love and Light’ by Brian Balmages, and dedicated to my daughter, Madison. The music takes you through the stages of grief after losing a child. It has gone on to win prestigious awards and has been played in more states, countries, and continents than I can even name,” Elizabeth shares. “I conducted it 32 weeks pregnant with my rainbow baby, Oliver. It is by far the highlight of my career.”
Be All You Can Be “I worked as a teaching assistant at the collegiate level, then taught high school band for three years,” Elizabeth reminisces. “During that time, I frequently traveled the country to conduct, and was noticed by the U.S. Army Band in Washington D.C. They invited me to audition in 2016, and after a grueling callback audition process in D.C., I won the spot!”
A few months later, she received new orders and the Elliotts packed up to move again. Their precious son Oliver was only two months old. Elizabeth was stationed in the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she would be the officer in charge of the 82nd Airborne All American Chorus.
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About a year later, Elizabeth received an honorable discharge and became a stay-at-home mom.
Elizabeth in front of her uncle’s old house on St. George Street. Her family has lived in St. Augustine since 1913.
“I loved it! It was exactly what I needed to do at the time,” Elizabeth shares. “During that year at home I got pregnant with our second son, Theodore. I found myself being the person that my friends came to for help and questions about home ownership. I had been relatively young when I bought my first home using my VA loan. And when the Army had issued Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, I turned that home into a rental property. I moved 10 times in 11 years, so I understand the stress and the toll that it can take on a family. I was honored to share my knowledge and experience with my friends.”
Jacksonville Real Producers • 35
