Role

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Performer

Genre

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Vocal

 

Robert Ayers was born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. Ayers showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later picked up the cello at the age of eight and quickly became proficient in both instruments. Ayers attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied under the renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2007 and went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. There, he studied under the tutelage of cellist David Soyer. Throughout his studies, Ayers participated in numerous competitions and won several awards. In 2005, he won first prize in the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow. He also won the Juilliard Concerto Competition in 2006 and the Curtis Institute Concerto Competition in 2008. Ayers made his professional debut in 2007, performing as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Lorin Maazel. He has since performed with many other major orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Ayers' most notable performances was his 2010 debut at Carnegie Hall, where he performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the New York Youth Symphony. The performance was widely praised by critics, with The New York Times calling Ayers "a cellist of uncommon sensitivity and virtuosity." In addition to his solo performances, Ayers is also an active chamber musician. He has performed with many renowned ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Guarneri Quartet. He is also a founding member of the Ayers Quartet, which has performed at major venues around the world. Ayers has recorded several albums throughout his career, including a critically acclaimed recording of the Bach Cello Suites in 2012. He has also collaborated with many other artists, including pianist Lang Lang and violinist Joshua Bell. In addition to his performing career, Ayers is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught masterclasses at many institutions, including the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music. He is currently a professor of cello at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Throughout his career, Ayers has received numerous awards and honors. In 2011, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians. He was also named a MacArthur Fellow in 2015, receiving a "genius grant" for his contributions to classical music. In conclusion, Robert Ayers is a highly accomplished cellist and musician. His dedication to his craft and his exceptional talent have earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He continues to inspire audiences around the world with his performances and his commitment to music education.

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