Eliott Matthew Cherry has been active as a cellist, composer and teacher of music. He has focused exclusively on performing A Finished Heart since its completion in 2009. Eliott works to foster empathy, which he believes is the most important agent of social progress.
Eliott kept a diary of his conversations with his husband of sixteen years, Chris Chenard, as he cared for Chris at their home during three months of illness. After Chris died, Eliott expanded his writings with poetry and prose. This journal is the source of A Finished Heart, for which Eliott has created an accompanying musical score for solo piano. A Finished Heart has been presented 46 times, including collaborations with universities, non-profit organizations, high schools, libraries, and municipalities.
In the United States, A Finished Heart has received support from many state and regional grants and has been chosen to support clinical continuing education for health care professionals. In 2023, A Finished Heart received its European premiere in Lisbon, Portugal.