Steve Erdody is a renowned cellist who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on August 16, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, Erdody grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Don Erdody, was a bassist who played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, while his mother, Mary Erdody, was a pianist. It was no surprise, therefore, that Steve Erdody developed an interest in music at a young age. Erdody began playing the cello when he was just six years old. He received his early training from his father, who was his first teacher. Erdody's talent was evident from the start, and he quickly progressed to more advanced pieces. He continued his studies at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where he was a student of Eleonore Schoenfeld. Erdody's talent and hard work paid off when he won the prestigious Young Musicians Foundation Debut Concerto Competition at the age of 16. This was a major achievement for Erdody, as the competition was open to musicians under the age of 25 and attracted some of the most talented young musicians in the country. The win gave Erdody the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which was a dream come true for the young cellist. After graduating from high school, Erdody attended the University of Southern California, where he studied with the renowned cellist Lynn Harrell. He continued to win awards and accolades, including the USC Concerto Competition and the Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition. Erdody also performed with the Pacific Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Erdody's career took off in the 1980s, when he began performing with some of the biggest names in the music industry. He played on Michael Jackson's hit album "Thriller," which remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Erdody also worked with other pop icons, including Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. His work in the pop world earned him a reputation as a versatile and talented cellist who could play in a variety of styles. Despite his success in the pop world, Erdody remained committed to classical music. He continued to perform with orchestras and chamber groups, and he recorded several albums of classical music. In 1995, he formed the Los Angeles Cello Quartet, which quickly became one of the most popular chamber groups in the country. The quartet's repertoire included works by Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as contemporary composers. Erdody's talent and versatility have earned him numerous awards and honors over the years. He has won three Grammy Awards for his work on film soundtracks, including "The Lion King" and "The Dark Knight." He has also been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Erdody's performances have taken him all over the world, and he has played in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Albert Hall, among others. He has also played at major music festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, the Tanglewood Music Festival, and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to his performing career, Erdody is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of the Arts.

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