[1] He then attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, graduating with degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting, where he studied with Jan DeGaetani and was a classmate of Renee Fleming and Gene Scheer.

[1] He also, at various times, served as Coordinator of Vocal Studies and Chair of the Department of Music, and held the honorary title of Regents Lecturer.

His "Requiem" for chorus and orchestra has been heard in Carnegie Hall,[2] Lincoln Center and in Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest.

[3] "Star Song" for chorus, tenor solo and orchestra was premiered in Lincoln Center and Great Britain in 2014.

[8][9] For his work on making the music of Norway better known among English-speaking singers, Ellingboe was awarded the Medal of St. Olav by King Harald V in 1994.