Born in Queens, NY and having a father who worked professionally as a drummer, Eli was constantly surrounded by music, especially to the sounds of Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Billy Joel, and Regina Spektor. He would often spend his days exploring the massive iTunes library on his family computer, opening his ears to whatever titles or album covers caught his eye. Whether it be the unique look of The Best of Edgar Winter or the allure of Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me, Eli gained a passion for discovering new music from a young age. This hobby became particularly impactful around his middle school years: after hearing Björk’s music for the first time, he began digging deeper into the world of art pop and 90s alternative, which has since provided a well of inspiration. After several years of bouncing around local open mics, Eli began releasing music as a teenager with his first EP, Flip on Fiona, and the single “The Lindsey Song”, a sweet ballad with shining vocals. Promoting the EP and single, Eli played numerous local shows in Long Island, and has additionally performed at festivals in Boston and California. Eli began writing his debut albm, therein lies the garden, in late 2020 and simultaneously began recording it while pursuing his bachelor's degree in studio composition at SUNY Purchase. The seven-track set was released in March 2022; York Calling said in regard to the record: “Rich with lived detail and emotion [...] you’re completely lost in Eli’s world.” As Shane was surrounded by instrumentalists and collaborators while at music school, the record boasts a hearty list of credits. Shane’s proclivity for open tunings and large arrangements are demonstrated on tracks like the bittersweet “You and Me” and triumphant “Greed & Travel in Four Parts”. The record also features more electronic-influenced tracks like “Another Verse”, a dreamy electropop track, and “See You in New York”, a hauntingly comforting ambient song. Aside from performance and producing his own music, Eli served as PR manager and eventually director of WPSR Student Radio. While in that position, he worked to refocus the station on uplifting the school's music community, and worked closely with artists to put together shows, release events, and promotional strategies. He was also a host and curator of his own show on the station, Caught in the Middle, for six seasons. Eli began playing the harp in his second semester at SUNY Purchase, after a lifelong fascination with the instrument and dream to play. Immediately after picking it up, he knew it was the instrument he was meant to play. He instantly felt like it truly was the instrument, the vessel, for the creative energy he had built up in his life and studies. Picking up the harp as an adult allowed him both a discipline to commit to learning, and a fearlessness to explore the instrument and its endless sonic capabilities. That exploration has since characterized his playing; Shane is primarily interested in showcasing the expansive sonic profile of the harp and frequently employs extended techniques and unconventional approaches in his writing. “Liaison”, his first single on harp which was released in May 2024, is loosely based off of a short story by Lydia Davis and is about jadedness in domesticity and routine. To sonically reflect that, the track is built around loops, anxious layered vocals, and electroacoustic manipulation of the harp and cello. Playing the harp has also opened doors for Shane to pursue many new paths in music, including more improvised and contemporary performances. In 2023, he was a performer in acclaimed artist Nao Bustamante's BLOOM at the Neuberger Museum of Art, a project for which Bustamante won the highly-coveted Rome Prize. As part of his undergraduate senior project, Shane enlisted percussionist Diego Zavaleta for a series of improvised sessions; one of which, titled Is There Enough Time in the Day?, was released in 2024. He has additionally been a session harpist for various independent artists, including Avangelia, Brigid Hart, Luna Starr, and DøR5N. Eli is currently pursuing his master's of music in Contemporary Musical Arts at New England Conservatory, and is working on an EP of songs written on harp over the past two years.