"Cellist Ben R. is faculty at the American Music Academy in Houston, TX, and is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University with Norman Fischer. Ben regularly performs around the United States, making his debut at NYC Carnegie Hall in 2023 as a member of Oberlin Orchestra. Last Summer, he could be seen performing as a Fellow of Madeline Island Chamber Music, while coaching and teaching dozens of students of his own at the Community Music School of Oberlin Conservatory and the Community School of the Arts at Northern Illinois University in his hometown of DeKalb, IL. During the completion of his Bachelor of Music with Dmitry Kouzov at Oberlin Conservatory, Ben also studied music theory with Brian Alegant and composition with Michael Frazier, premiering several of his own works, including one for Pierrot ensemble.

Ben has been teaching cello for nearly 10 years. He received his Suzuki Book 1 Teaching Certificate from the Nashville Suzuki Institute in 2019 and studied pedagogy with Louise Zeitlin at Oberlin. Ben was offered the Music Theory Graduate Teaching Assistantship at Lamont School of Music, and has a background in both classical and jazz theory. He has students of all ages and levels and enjoys teaching group classes, coaching chamber ensembles, music directing for children’s theatre, and giving interactive theory lectures. However, Ben specializes in 1-on-1 private teaching and tutoring of classical cello and music theory." less...