Teen violin prodigy to perform in NN

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Many music lovers in Hampton Roads are aware of the Elliott family string quartet, who have been performing together for nearly a decade.

Now the oldest child, Brendon, is heading off to college. But before he leaves, Brendon got to perform at a Washington Nationals game Sunday.

It was actually the second time 17-year-old Brendon of Newport News has performed before a major league game, but he says this time was special.

“This game, the whole stadium was full, sold out game,” Brendon said. “We hit this huge note, everybody’s screaming. It was just great. It was amazing.”

Brendon has been playing the violin since he was three-years-old. Dianne Chapman of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra met Brendon three years later when he auditioned for the Children’s Symphonia.

“In comes this boy, practicing, and I heard him play and I said ‘he doesn’t belong here’,” Chapman said.

For about eight years now, Brendon has performed around Hampton Roads and the country with the Elliott family quartet. His 15-year-old sister Justine is also a violinist while his 13-year-old brother Sterling plays cello. Their mother Danielle plays the violin, too, and taught them all.

“My goal has always been to instill in them a passion for music, regardless of if they decide to not pursue it professionally,” Danielle Elliott said. “It was never important to me.”

Brendon, a Menchville High School graduate has been accepted to the prestigious Julliard School of Music, but was instead awarded a scholarship to the highly regarded Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.

The $56,000 a year tuition is covered, but Brendon’s now trying to raise money for living expenses and higher quality equipment. He’ll be featured solo as well as with his Elliot family quartet Thursday night at the Downing Gross Cultural Center in Newport News.

“I’m telling folks, with regards to this concert, this is the last chance you’ll have to see him when he’s not a professional,” Chapman said.

For more information about the concert at 7 p.m., call 757-303-3908 or visit the Elliott family’s site at www.elliottfamilyquartet.com .