Ellen Tefanis is an Australian guitarist, singer, songwriter, and performer who first gained international attention after sharing the stage with Keith Urban in 2016.
Here are some highlights of her career:
- Early start: Ellen began playing guitar at 8 years old after being inspired by her father, who was also a musician. She quickly developed her lead guitar skills, played in school bands, and performed at festivals and local venues while still in school.
- Breakthrough with Keith Urban: At 19, Ellen posted a video on X (then Twitter) of herself playing one of Keith Urban’s guitar solos and asked if she could perform with him. Impressed, Urban invited her to join him on stage during the final show of his Ripcord World Tour in Brisbane, Australia, where they performed “Good Thing”together. The performance went viral and introduced her to a worldwide audience.
- Professional career: Since then, Ellen has built a career as a solo artist and live performer. She writes and records original country music while blending in rock-inspired guitar techniques, reflecting her love of both genres.
- Industry recognition: She has earned endorsements from well-known music brands, including Ernie Ball Music Man, Orange Amplifiers, Ernie Ball, Chicken Picks, The Guitar Strap Co, and Fender Australia, reflecting her reputation in the guitar community.
- Current work: In addition to releasing original music, Ellen performs regularly throughout Australia, playing solo, duo, and full-band shows featuring a mix of original songs and popular covers.
Playing style
Ellen’s guitar style combines:
- Country lead guitar
- Rock-influenced solos and phrasing
- Melodic improvisation
- Strong stage presence and audience engagement
Her biggest influence is Keith Urban, but she has developed her own sound by mixing modern country with classic rock techniques.
The onstage performance with Keith Urban remains a defining moment in her career, but she has continued to establish herself as an artist in her own right through original music, endorsements, and an active touring schedule.
