Richard Elliott became a Tabernacle organist in 1991. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Elliott studied at the Peabody Conservatory and the Catholic University of America. Additionally, he earned a bachelor of music degree from the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. 

On the topic of playing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Elliott said, "Every time I get out there in front of the choir and hear those voices, it’s hair-raising. There are times still when I’m overcome by emotion—not just by the size of the sound or just how good they are, but by the spirit that they bring and the music that they sing, which really has the potential to change lives."

In the video above, Elliott discusses more about his role with the Choir and how an arm injury led to a musical breakthrough.