Julian Smiles is a renowned Australian cellist and music educator. He was born on August 22, 1967, in Sydney, Australia. Smiles grew up in a family of musicians, and his parents were both professional musicians. His father was a cellist, and his mother was a pianist. Smiles started playing the cello at the age of six, and he showed exceptional talent from an early age. Smiles received his early music education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he studied with Lois Simpson. He later went on to study with renowned cellists such as Lynn Harrell, Steven Isserlis, and Bernard Greenhouse. Smiles also studied at the Juilliard School in New York, where he received a Master of Music degree. Smiles has had a successful career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. He has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Smiles has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras, and Vladimir Ashkenazy. One of the highlights of Smiles' career was his performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 1995. The performance was highly acclaimed, and Smiles received rave reviews for his interpretation of the piece. Smiles has also performed at many of the world's leading music festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Salzburg Festival, and the BBC Proms. In addition to his career as a performer, Smiles is also a highly respected music educator. He has taught at many of Australia's leading music schools, including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian National Academy of Music. Smiles is currently the Head of Strings at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Smiles has received many awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1991, he was awarded the Young Australian of the Year Award for his contribution to music. He has also been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to music education. Smiles is also a passionate advocate for the arts and has been involved in many initiatives to promote music education and appreciation in Australia. He is a founding member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and has been involved in many community outreach programs to bring music to underprivileged communities. In conclusion, Julian Smiles is a highly respected and accomplished cellist and music educator. He has had a successful career as a performer and has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians. Smiles is also a passionate advocate for the arts and has made significant contributions to music education in Australia.

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