Ellsworth began piano studies shortly after his 6th birthday in 1964 and after 12 years received his Certificate of Piano Study and Theory from the John Mason Evans Hasslinger Studio (Hasslinger himself was a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD). Between the ages of 11 and 28, Ellsworth also studied cello, guitar, and voice. He also performed in several bands from 1976 on including Tailwind, Sabre and Logos Affinity.