Elvins was born at
Campbells Creek, near
Castlemaine, Victoria, second son of James and Betty Elvins, later of
Parkville, Victoria, and educated at
Wesley College. He was among the first pupils to enrol at the conservatorium established by
George Marshall-Hall, and achieved a reputation as a fine pianist and accompanist to
Nellie Melba and
Louise Kirkby Lunn. He became a piano teacher at the same school, and when
Fritz Hart left to live in Honolulu, Elvins succeeded him as director, later purchasing the business. He converted the conservatorium to a limited liability company, renamed the
Melba Conservatorium in recognition of Dame Nellie's long association with the school, and her considerable endowments to it. ==Recognition==