Ariel Barnes is a renowned cellist and classical music artist who has made a significant impact on the music industry. Born in Vancouver, Canada, on May 22, 1979, Barnes grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a professional bassist, and his mother was a pianist. Barnes started playing the cello at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Barnes received his formal music education at the University of British Columbia, where he studied under the tutelage of Eric Wilson. He later went on to study with renowned cellists such as Lynn Harrell, Janos Starker, and Steven Isserlis. Barnes also attended the Banff Centre for the Arts, where he participated in masterclasses with Yo-Yo Ma and Anner Bylsma. Barnes' career as a professional cellist began in 2001 when he joined the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as their principal cellist. He held this position for six years before leaving to pursue a solo career. During his time with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Barnes performed in numerous concerts and recordings, including the orchestra's Grammy-nominated recording of John Adams' "On the Transmigration of Souls." In 2007, Barnes won the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition, which allowed him to borrow a rare 1696 Bonjour Stradivarius cello. This instrument has been played by some of the world's greatest cellists, including Yo-Yo Ma and Jacqueline du Pré. Barnes' performance on this cello has been described as "breathtaking" and "mesmerizing." Barnes has performed as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed in numerous music festivals, including the Banff Summer Arts Festival, the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, and the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival. In addition to his solo career, Barnes is also a sought-after chamber musician. He has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Gryphon Trio, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, and the New Orford String Quartet. Barnes is also a member of the Turning Point Ensemble, a Vancouver-based contemporary music ensemble. Barnes' discography includes several critically acclaimed recordings, including his debut album, "Cello e Basso," which features works by Bach, Vivaldi, and Boccherini. He has also recorded the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven with pianist Lydia Wong and the complete works for cello and orchestra by Saint-Saëns with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Barnes has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In addition to winning the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition, he has also won the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award for Music and the Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts. Barnes is also a recipient of the prestigious Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award, which is awarded annually to the most talented Canadian musician under the age of 30. In addition to his performing career, Barnes is also a dedicated music educator. He has taught at the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Academy of Music, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Barnes is also a faculty member at the University of Manitoba, where he holds the position of Associate Professor of Cello.

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