Elvins was born at Campbells Creek, near Castlemaine, Victoria, second son of James and Betty Elvins, later of Parkville, Victoria,[1] 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.[2]
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.