Elaine So is a passionate percussionist and educator based in London. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in percussion, following her earlier education at Uppingham School. During her time at Guildhall, she performed in Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe, continuing her artistic development through a master’s degree.

Elaine’s recent performance credits highlight her versatility across classical and contemporary genres. She recorded with the Academy of Ancient Music for the UK premiere of John Eccles’ Semele and appeared as an onstage musician in the Dungeons & Dragons film.

​She collaborates regularly with Orchestral Tools, a leading German sample library company, and has recorded extensively at London’s AIR Studios. Other performance appearances include playing timpani on Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story in collaboration with Alicia Keys, and featuring as a steel pan soloist in the BBC Proms (CBeebies). She has also worked as a deputy percussionist for The Secret Life of Bees at the Almeida Theatre and took part in Words of Peace at Shakespeare’s Globe.

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As an educator, Elaine holds teaching positions in various schools and is a percussion and drum kit tutor for Guildhall Young Artists Kings Cross.

In addition to her percussion work, Elaine is also a specialist in traditional Chinese flute (dizi), steel pan, and Hackbrett (hammered dulcimer). Most recently, she toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Pericles, including performances in Chicago.