A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Richard received his early musical training in the Preparatory Division of the Peabody Institute. He went on to study organ at the Catholic University of America, the Curtis Institute of Music, from which he received the BMus degree, and the Eastman School of Music, where he received MM and DMA degrees. His organ teachers have included David Craighead, William Watkins, and John Weaver.

Prior to his appointment as a Tabernacle organist, Dr. Elliott was an assistant professor of organ at Brigham Young University. He has performed extensively as a recitalist and accompanist in the United States and Europe, has appeared as soloist with the Utah Symphony and the Salt Lake Symphony, and for several years was assistant organist at the John Wanamaker Department Store (now Lord & Taylor) in Philadelphia, home to the world's largest pipe organ. A Fellow of the American Guild of Organists, Richard appeared as an "Emerging Artist" at the guild's 1992 national convention held in Atlanta, Georgia.

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