Violoncello

Cello students perform on the Corbett Auditorium satge during the Moveable Feast benefit.

The study of violoncello at CCM is strongly performance based. The cornerstone of all degree programs is private lessons with faculty, who serve as mentors for students and direct their individual musical, performing and teaching growth. 

The curriculum emphasizes the development of the well-rounded, holistic musician by providing a solid background in music history and theory as well as areas specific to each musical medium. Undergraduate students enjoy a close collaboration with the University of Cincinnati through a general education core that supplements their education with academic course work while graduate students specialize more precisely in their chosen field.

Violoncello Faculty

Headshot of Amit Even-Tov

Amit Even-Tov

Associate Professor of Violoncello and Chamber Music, Ariel Quartet member

Headshot of Ilya Finkelshteyn

Ilya Finkelshteyn

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Cello

513-556-3442

Headshot of Benjamin Hughes

Benjamin Hughes

Associate Professor of Cello

Headshot of Alan B. Rafferty

Alan B. Rafferty

Associate Professor- Educator of Violoncello


Strings Department Chair

Headshot of Rachel  Calin

Rachel Calin

Chair of Strings Department; Professor of Double Bass

Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of James Bunte

James Bunte

Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone

303-236-5900

Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman

Chamber Music Coordinator

Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-3442

CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 (undergraduate) and September 1 (graduate) for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Violoncello - BM

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme

Violoncello - MM, DMA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme (required for MM applicants ONLY)

Audition

In addition to an audition with the required repertoire, applicants for the DMA program in Cello should be prepared for a short interview with the cello faculty.

Audition Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from a J. S. Bach cello suite 
  • One movement of a major concerto
  • One piece composed after 1940 (required for DMA applicants only)

Violoncello - AD

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two movements of a concerto
  • Two movements of solo J. S. Bach
  • Two movements of a classical or romantic sonata
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme 
  • One piece composed after 1940

News and Events

3

Poiesis Quartet wins Grand Prize at Banff International String...

September 2, 2025

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada announced the Poiesis Quartet as the grand prize winner of the 15th triennial Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). The CCM graduate student ensemble consists of artist diploma students Sarah Ying Ma (she/they) on violin, Max Ball (he/they) on violin, Jasper de Boor (they/them) on viola and Drew Dansby (he/him) on cello.

5

Poiesis Quartet to compete at Banff International String Quartet...

August 25, 2025

CCM graduate student ensemble the Poiesis Quartet is the only quartet in the USA to compete in the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). At CCM, the Poiesis Quartet studies chamber music with the Ariel Quartet. Members are AD student Sarah Ying Ma, violin; AD student Max Ball, violin; AD student Jasper de Boor; and AD student Drew Dansby, cello.

6

Attend a concert or show at CCM: Fall schedule of major events...

August 19, 2025

Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)! The college’s fall 2025 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

8

CCM welcomes Maggie Perrino as Assistant Dean of Prep and...

June 30, 2025

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras recently announced the appointment of Maggie Perrino as the college's new Assistant Dean of CCM Prep and Community Engagement. In this role, Perrino will lead a team of faculty and administrative staff at CCM Prep, which offers a wide variety of programs in music, dance and the theatre arts throughout the year for people of all ages and abilities. She will also oversee CCM’s Summer Programs for youth, teens and adults. Perrino's appointment begins on June 30, 2025.

9

CCM welcomes new cello faculty member Benjamin Hughes

June 9, 2025

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Benjamin Hughes as CCM's new Associate Professor of Cello. His faculty appointment officially begins this fall. Hughes is internationally recognised as one of the UK’s most dynamic and versatile cellists. For over 18 years, he has served as Principal Cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra, captivating audiences across the UK and beyond with his commanding artistry and insightful performances. A familiar presence on BBC Radio and Television, Hughes regularly appears as a soloist and collaborator in broadcasts that spotlight both classical masterpieces and genre-defying works.

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