Darrett Adkins is a renowned cellist and professor of music at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He was born in 1968 in Washington, D.C. and grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist and his mother was a classical pianist. Adkins began playing the cello at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Adkins received his Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University, where he studied with Janos Starker. He then went on to earn his Master of Music degree from Yale University, where he studied with Aldo Parisot. Adkins continued his studies at the Juilliard School, where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree under the tutelage of Joel Krosnick. Throughout his career, Adkins has performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with many renowned conductors, such as Lorin Maazel, Christoph Eschenbach, and Leonard Slatkin. One of Adkins' most notable performances was his solo debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1998, where he performed the world premiere of John Adams' "Century Rolls" for piano and orchestra. The performance was highly acclaimed and helped establish Adkins as a leading cellist in the classical music world. Adkins has also been recognized for his work as a chamber musician. He has performed with many esteemed ensembles, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Silk Road Ensemble. In 2006, Adkins was a founding member of the JACK Quartet, a contemporary classical music ensemble that has gained international recognition for its innovative performances. In addition to his performing career, Adkins is also a dedicated educator. He has been a professor of music at Oberlin Conservatory of Music since 2012 and has also taught at the Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music. Adkins is known for his passionate and engaging teaching style, and many of his students have gone on to successful careers in the music industry. Throughout his career, Adkins has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the classical music world. In 2002, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show great potential for a major career in music. Adkins has also been a recipient of the prestigious Fromm Music Foundation Award and the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming. In addition to his performing and teaching work, Adkins is also a dedicated advocate for contemporary classical music. He has commissioned and premiered many new works by contemporary composers, including John Luther Adams, John Zorn, and Kaija Saariaho. Adkins is committed to expanding the repertoire for the cello and pushing the boundaries of classical music. In conclusion, Darrett Adkins is a highly accomplished cellist and educator who has made significant contributions to the classical music world. His performances with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras and ensembles have earned him critical acclaim, and his dedication to contemporary classical music has helped expand the repertoire for the cello. Adkins' passion for music and commitment to teaching have inspired countless students and audiences around the world.

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