Meet Ell

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ell below.

Hi Ell, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from loving what I do. It’s not a job, it’s a career.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Elliott Sabbagh, also known as Ell, and I wear a few hats in the music world – DJ, audio engineer, and educator. I recently completed a tour with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, and Jeremih during their North American segment of The Final Lap tour. Currently, I’m immersed in the music scene in Nashville, TN, where I teach and engineer at Dark Horse Institute. Additionally, I teach as an instructor at Michigan Technological University, focusing on sound mixing and audio engineering.

When I’m not in the classroom, you might find me working as the Front of House (FOH) or Monitor engineer at venues such as the Blind Pig Rock Club, Blue LLama Jazz Club, the Royal Oak Music Theater, or at other venues around the U.S.. With my background that includes managing studios, engineering, DJing for concerts/radio, and teaching, I get to explore many areas of the music industry, which makes my experience pretty interesting.

As a DJ, I’ve had the privilege of sharing stages with notable artists like Juicy J, J. Cole, Twista, Taylor Gang, and others. Holding a Master’s degree in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, I am also an active member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES). Whether behind the mixing console, in a classroom, or on stage, I love the opportunity to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained from my mentors to the next generation of audio enthusiasts.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Diversify, Persevere, and Don’t Suck. Here’s a key piece of advice: wear multiple hats. Not only does it prevent monotony and boredom from creeping in, but it also ensures a long and sustainable career, especially in an industry where gigs can come and go. If you embrace variety, persist through setbacks, and excel in your craft, you’ll have a real chance in this field. Finally, remember that being friendly and making a good cup of coffee has never hurt anyone either.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Books you should read!

Life –
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra MD

Finance –
Rich Dad Poor Dad: 20th Anniversary Edition by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
The Warren Buffett Way by Robert Hagstrom
University of Berkshire Hathaway by Daniel Pecaut, Corey Wrenn
The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed. by Benjamin Graham
A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market: Everything You Need to Start Making Money Today by Matthew R. Kratter
I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Rich Dad Advisors: Tax-Free Wealth by Tom Wheelwright CPA

Business –
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries, Jack Trout
How to Persuade and Get Paid by Phil M. Jones
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Audio –
The Ultimate Live Sound Operator’s Handbook
Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Music Recording Techniques

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that