About Us

Based in Newport News Virginia, The Elliott Family String Quartet has been performing as a family ensemble since early 2004. The members are the mother and violinist/violist, Dannielle Weems-Elliott, and her children, violinist Brendon, violinist Justine, and cellist Sterling. Garth Elliott, the proud supportive father, is a currently a Physician Assistant in the United States Air Force. Each member of the quartet is very active in the community as well in their own quartet.

The quartet is very active in the Hampton Roads area and is particularly involved in their hometown of Newport News. They have also performed in many cities throughout United States including, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, San Fransisco, Las Vegas, as well as abroad Jamaica.

Dannielle Weems-Elliott plays the violin & viola and is a Suzuki Violin teacher in Newport News. She has been playing the violin since she was 8 years old. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio University. She has served as a clinician and adjudicator at local Universities, and public and private schools. Before moving to Virginia, she was a member of the in Tuscarawas, Ohio. Dannielle is a member of the

and the Being brought up as a Suzuki Violin student, she has always been fascinated with how very young children can learn to play the violin with such high technical skill. So she began teaching her own children at very young ages. She always wanted to have a family quartet. So once her youngest child, Sterling, was born, she put her plan into action by starting him on the cello. She now focuses most of her time running her own private violin studio, arranging music, performing with her quartet, and being a mother and wife.

Garth Elliott, is the proud father and husband, has been a huge supporter of his "musical family", from the very beginning. Garth, a native of Jamaica, is a Physician Assistant. People are often suprised that he does not play an instrument, but his love for medicine keeps him very busy, with little time to take up an instrument late in life. He is often seen at performances helping out with setting up and packing up of equipment. However, he also plays a key role in helping the quartet decide on what music best fits certain situations. He lends his ear whenever necessary. Garth is retired from the United States Air Force and currently works as a Surgical Physician Assistant.

Brendon Elliott is now 14 years old. He began his violin studies at the age of three. It quickly became apparent that he was an exceptionally gifted musician. At the age of six, he was accepted to his first youth orchestra where he was the youngest member. Brendon currently serves as concert master of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra

(PYO). He has been a member of PYO for the past 7 years, the youngest member for 3 years of those years until his younger sister, then brother joined. Brendon made his debut as a soloist when he was 10 years old when he performed a concerto with the Hampton University Orchestra. Since then, Brendon has won numerous competitions. His most recent accommplishment has been his acceptance by audition to appear on the famous and nationally broadcast radio show, From the Top. To listen to his performance Click here. In October 2008, Brendon will be featured as a soloist with the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport, Tennessee. In November 2008 and February 2009, Brendon will be featured as soloist with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in their Discovery Series Concerts.In January 2008, Brendon placed 1st against 29 students in the Richmond Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and was featured as soloist with the orchestra in April 2008. In 2007 Brendon was selected as one of 2 winners in the York River Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competion (YRSO) and was featured as a soloist with YRSO in May 2007. Brendon also won first place in the PYO Concerto Competition in 2005 and 2007 and performed as a soloist with the orchestra in May 2005 & May 2007. Brendon attends Menchiville High School as a 9th grader.

Justine Elliott is 12 years old now. She began her violin studies at the tender age of two. She was accepted to her first youth orchestra, the , at the age of seven, where she was the youngest member for 2 years. In 2004, she served as concert mistress of that orchestra. In 2005, she replaced her brother, Brendon as the youngest member of the PYO where she has held the position of principal second violinist. Justine won first place in her age category at the National Level of

for 3 years in a row. She appeared on the local Channel 13 News in 2004, with her brother Brendon, promoting the Peninsula Youth Orchestra. In 2008, Justine wone 3rd place in PYO's concerto competition for the senior division. Justine is a 7th grade honor roll student at Gildersleeve Middle School. She is also in the Talented and Gifted program (TAG).

Sterling Elliott is 9 years old now and began his cello studies at the age of three. Sterling originally did not want to play the cello; he wanted to play the violin like his brother and sister, but mom convinced him that cellists were smarter than violinists. So he made the quartet perfect by learning to play the cello. Now Sterling loves being a cello player and enjoys performing with the quartet. Sterling was accepted into his first orchestra when he was six like his brother. He served as principal cellist in 2007 with the

where he was also the youngest member for 2 years. Like his brother and sister, Sterling also won first place in his age category at the National Level of the for 3 years in a row. Sterling was recently accepted in the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and has replaced his sister as the youngest member. Sterling won the Junior Division of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2007 and was featured along with his brother as a soloist with the orchestra in May 2007. Sterling currently attends B.C. Charles Elementary school as a 4th grader and is in the Talented and Gifted program (TAG).