A native and resident of Los Angeles, California, Eli began playing percussion at the age of eleven, though his musical journey started with the violin at the age of five. In his high school years, Eli attended the Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied with former percussionist of the Florida Philharmonic and active principal timpanist of the Traverse City Philharmonic, Keith Aleo. Eli earned his Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with BSO assistant timpanist and percussionist Daniel Bauch and BSO percussionist Matthew McKay. While at NEC, he earned a liberal arts minor in Environmental Studies under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Duveneck. He continued his studies with San Francisco Symphony timpanist Ed Stephan at the San Francisco Conservatory, where he earned his Master’s degree. He has performed alongside the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, Traverse City Philharmonic, New England Philharmonic, Boston Civic Symphony, and Aspen Festival Orchestra.