Mihai Marica is a Romanian cellist who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on December 22, 1985, in Bucharest, Romania, Marica began playing the cello at the age of seven. He was inspired by his father, who was a cellist himself, and his mother, who was a pianist. Marica's parents recognized his talent early on and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Marica's early training was at the George Enescu Music School in Bucharest, where he studied with Ani-Marie Paladi. He later went on to study at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. During his time at the university, Marica won several awards, including the First Prize at the National Cello Competition in Romania. After completing his studies in Romania, Marica moved to the United States to further his education. He attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he studied with David Geber. Marica also had the opportunity to work with renowned cellists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker, and Steven Isserlis. Marica's talent and hard work paid off when he won the First Prize at the Irving M. Klein International String Competition in San Francisco in 2012. This prestigious competition is open to string players under the age of 23 and is known for launching the careers of many successful musicians. Since then, Marica has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. He has also collaborated with many renowned musicians, including pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Itzhak Perlman, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In addition to his performances, Marica is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division. He is currently on the faculty at the University of Kansas School of Music. Marica's repertoire includes works by some of the greatest composers in history, including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Schumann. He is also passionate about contemporary music and has premiered works by several living composers. One of Marica's most memorable performances was his solo debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2017. He performed Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme under the baton of conductor Semyon Bychkov. The performance was met with critical acclaim, with The New York Times praising Marica's "warm, singing tone" and "impressive technique." Marica is also a member of the Amphion String Quartet, which he co-founded in 2009. The quartet has won several awards, including the First Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition in 2011. They have also performed at major venues such as the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In addition to his performances and teaching, Marica is also committed to giving back to his community. He has participated in several outreach programs, including the New York Philharmonic's Very Young Composers program and the Sphinx Organization's National Tour. Marica's talent, dedication, and passion for music have earned him numerous accolades and a reputation as one of the most promising young cellists of his generation. He continues to inspire audiences and musicians alike with his performances and his commitment to music education and outreach.

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