Ellis is perhaps most visible as Brad the mostly quiet pianist for the high school kids on Glee, the Fox television show for which he is part of creator Ryan Murphy's musical production team.
[1][2] Ellis had a long association with the continuously evolving Off-Broadway satirical revue Forbidden Broadway where he met his wife, comedienne Eydie Alyson.
[1] Ellis joined the team as a musical director and vocal coach, but received additional duties as an on-screen, virtually non-speaking character providing piano accompaniment to the glee club.
[2][4] In 2009, Ellis was part of the team that created the music and lyrics for the opening number for 81st Academy Awards telecast, performed by Oscar host Hugh Jackman.
[6][7] Ellis continues to be the music director, orchestrator and arranger for Matthew Morrison as he tours, performing with major symphony orchestras, and in cabaret venues throughout the world.
Ellis worked as a music director for The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again (2016) on FOX TV directed by Kenny Ortega.