"Eli Zoller served as music director and bandleader for a bluegrass musical of mine. Since I am a piano-based songwriter, I was very lucky to have someone with Eli’s particular skill set. He was able to take my musical ideas and translate them into a guitar-based idiom, creating arrangements for a 5-piece band. In working with singers and musicians, Eli held them to a high standard and was very detail-oriented, but he always maintained a fun, energetic leadership style. As a player, Eli is extraordinarily versatile, with a great ear for nuance. And as a collaborator, I had a great experience working with him: he listened, he understood, and he delivered what I asked for--and yet made the songs his own."
Peter Mills
Award Winning Composer
"Eli Zoller is one of the few guitar players I know who is also actually a true musician. Anyone can play the guitar, but the musicality and breadth of knowledge and ideas that Zoller brings is what sets him apart as a professional. Eli’s true talent as a musical director and music producer is his ability to take a plain sheet of music and put his classic “Eli touches” that can make a score really sing. Personally, Eli is a very approachable guy, to whom students of all ages will instantly be able to relate. His musicianship, personality, and extensive array of instruments make him a valuable asset to any musical project."
Mike Rosengarten
Professional Actor/Singer/Musician
"Eli Zoller is a true professional that understands the art of teaching. His knowledge as a musician and performer translates beautifully to actors and students of all walks of life. His is able to apply the lessons to your strengths gives each student confidence, chops, and an avenue to grow in any direction they chose. Eli cultivates this environment by truly taking time for each student and to give them the best tools and skills for becoming better musician, player, and to accomplish any goal you have set for yourself on the guitar."
Colin McAdoo
Professional Actor/Singer/Recording Artist
"I've known Eli for years and have become very familiar with his wide range of musical abilities. As a player, patient and clear teacher, and an accompanist, he is always one of the first people I think of. He met with me personally to work on an arrangement of a contemporary rock song for an audition and attended the audition with me to accompany me. It adds a whole new level of authenticity auditioning in the contemporary rock Musical Theatre world to be able to sing with guitar instead of piano. He has a broad knowledge of music genres and adapts easily. I would absolutely recommend him as a musician, accompanist, and teacher."
Megan Reinking
Broadway/International Actress/Singer (HAIR, LESTAT)
"I've worked with Eli as a performer and as a music director, and he was outstanding in both arenas. As a performer he's sensitive and nuanced, and utterly motivated by the essence of the material. He is generous and collaborative, and brings out the best in his fellow performers. His skills as a music director are formidable as well. Visionary, detail-oriented, patient, all things required to take a score from first draft to polished performance. Backing up all those skills is his every-sunny approach to music making. Such a pleasure!"
Aaron Gandy
Producer/Music Director/Conductor
"Eli Zoller is not only one of the most talented and highly skilled musicians I have ever known- he is one of the greatest people. Eli is a true role model for his students. Not only can they look up to him as a guitarist, songwriter, music director, and musical expert, they also feel great being around him. Eli is exudes the ideal energy that you want in a top-level teacher. He is positive, deeply caring, passionate, patient, funny, knowledgable, professional, and extremely committed to every single one of his students. Eli indeed gives his entire being to his work and to his students and it shows!
Having worked with over a thousand singers myself as well as dozens and dozens of music teachers at all levels, I know what a special teacher looks like. Eli is one of these rare and gifted teachers. I hired Eli to my staff without even having to think twice. He is the ideal person to help guide any guitarist (beginning or professional) into a spectacular instrumentalist. He has an ease and warmth about him that make kids, beginners, and young musicians feel right at home. But, he has the depth of musical knowledge and the experience to take professionals to the next level of their craft. Most importantly, though, Eli has the ability to make music a more potent and powerful force in a student’s life because of his enthusiasm, integrity, and ability to help bring out the vivacity in the music-making of others. Many people can teach music, but few can teach this. Eli is the teacher that parents, beginners, and professional musicians all dream of finding."
Justin Stoney
One of New York’s Leading Voice Teachers and Vocal Coaches
Founder of New York Vocal Coaching Inc.
"Eli Zoller is one of the most versatile guitarists I have ever worked with. From Country & Bluegrass picking, to Jazz comping, to straight ahead Rock & Roll, his proficiency and attitude are top shelf, both on stage, and in the recording studio. As co-producer with me on the Original Cast Recording of Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge, Eli's dedication and vision always reinforced my confidence that we were creating a musical recording of the highest quality. Any student would be fortunate to benefit from Eli and his musical expertise."
Dennis Michael Keefe
President and Owner, Tumble Dry Music, Inc.