Nicholas Canellakis is a renowned cellist and classical music artist who has made a name for himself in the music industry. Born on September 17, 1984, in New York City, Nicholas grew up in a family of musicians. His father, John Canellakis, was a pianist, and his mother, Barbara Stein Mallow, was a violinist. Nicholas was exposed to music from a young age and began playing the cello at the age of four. Nicholas received his early music education at the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division, where he studied with renowned cellist Harvey Shapiro. He later went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he was a student of David Soyer, the cellist of the Guarneri Quartet. Nicholas also studied with renowned cellists such as Lynn Harrell, Frans Helmerson, and Paul Katz. Nicholas's talent as a cellist was evident from a young age, and he quickly gained recognition for his exceptional skills. In 2004, he won the International Cello Competition in Blonay, Switzerland, and in 2005, he won the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. These awards helped to launch his career as a professional cellist. Since then, Nicholas has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed at major music festivals, such as the Ravinia Festival, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. One of Nicholas's most notable performances was his debut at Carnegie Hall in 2011, where he performed the Brahms Double Concerto with violinist Jennifer Koh and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. The performance was highly acclaimed, and Nicholas was praised for his "rich, burnished tone" and "virtuosic technique." In addition to his performances as a soloist, Nicholas is also an accomplished chamber musician. He is a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and has performed with some of the world's leading chamber ensembles, such as the Emerson String Quartet and the Guarneri Quartet. Nicholas is also a passionate advocate for contemporary music and has premiered works by some of today's leading composers, such as John Adams, Osvaldo Golijov, and Nico Muhly. He has also collaborated with musicians outside of the classical music world, such as the indie rock band Vampire Weekend. In addition to his performing career, Nicholas is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division and the Curtis Institute of Music, and he currently serves on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music. Nicholas's talent and dedication to his craft have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. In addition to the awards he received early in his career, he has also been named a "Rising Star" by the Strad magazine and a "Young Artist to Watch" by Musical America. Despite his success, Nicholas remains humble and dedicated to his art. He continues to push himself to new heights and to explore new avenues in his music. His passion for the cello and his commitment to excellence have made him one of the most respected and admired musicians of his generation.

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