Mariel Roberts is a renowned cellist and contemporary classical music artist. She was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1985, and grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist. Mariel started playing the cello at the age of four, and by the time she was a teenager, she had already won several competitions and performed in various concerts. Mariel Roberts received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in 2007, where she studied with Steven Doane. She then went on to pursue her Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School, where she studied with Joel Krosnick. During her time at Juilliard, Mariel was a recipient of the Gluck Community Service Fellowship, which allowed her to perform in various community outreach programs. After completing her studies, Mariel Roberts began her career as a soloist and chamber musician. She has performed in various venues across the United States and Europe, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Mariel has also collaborated with many contemporary composers, including Steve Reich, John Zorn, and Philip Glass. One of Mariel Roberts' most notable performances was her solo recital at the Miller Theatre in New York City in 2012. The program featured works by contemporary composers, including John Zorn, Tristan Perich, and Iannis Xenakis. The New York Times praised Mariel's performance, stating that "her playing was virtuosic and expressive, and she brought a sense of adventure and risk-taking to the music." Mariel Roberts has also been recognized for her contributions to contemporary classical music. In 2012, she was awarded the Aaron Copland Fund for Music Recording Grant, which allowed her to record her debut album, "Nonextraneous Sounds." The album features works by contemporary composers, including Sean Friar, Alex Mincek, and Eric Wubbels. The album received critical acclaim, with The New York Times stating that "Ms. Roberts plays with a rich, warm tone and a keen sense of phrasing, bringing out the music's rhythmic and harmonic complexities." In addition to her solo career, Mariel Roberts is also a member of several chamber ensembles, including the Mivos Quartet and Wet Ink Ensemble. She has performed with these ensembles in various festivals and venues, including the Bang on a Can Marathon and the Venice Biennale. Mariel Roberts is also an active educator and has taught at various institutions, including Columbia University and the University of California, San Diego. She is currently an assistant professor of cello at the University of South Carolina. In conclusion, Mariel Roberts is a highly accomplished cellist and contemporary classical music artist. Her virtuosic and expressive playing has earned her critical acclaim, and her collaborations with contemporary composers have contributed to the development of new music. Mariel Roberts' contributions to the world of classical music have made her a respected figure in the industry, and her career continues to inspire and influence future generations of musicians.

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