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Aaron Minsky has performed internationally as cellist, conductor and composer. A pioneer of rock cello, in 1975 he invented the "celtar" style of cello playing, which has gained acceptance in the classical and popular musical worlds.

Mr. Minsky was soloist in the World Premiere of his concerto for cello and symphony orchestra, "The Conqueror" (Von Cello, Inc. (VC), with the Staten Island Philharmonic. He was soloist in the World Premiere of his concerto for cello and string orchestra, "Summer Haze" (VC), with the Taranaki Youth Orchestra, New Zealand. He conducted the World Premiere of his, "Legends of Cellandia" (VC) (commissioned by the London Cello Society) at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and conducted it again with an orchestra of 70 cellists at Xavier College, Melbourne, Australia. He gave the World Premiere of his "Ten American Cello Etudes" (Oxford University Press (OUP) at the First World Cello Congress, University of Maryland, the World Premiere of his "Ten International Cello Encores" (OUP) at Ithaca College, the World Premiere of his "Pop Goes the Cello" (OUP) at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and the Royal Irish Academy of Music (Dublin), and the World Premiere of his "Ten Suite Variations on the Bach Cello Suites" (VC) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, and Little Saint Mary's Church, Cambridge, England.

Mr. Minsky was a section leader in the First World Cello Congress Orchestra, conducted by Mistislav Rostropovitch. A member of several orchestras and chamber ensembles he has performed before leaders of industry, the arts, and government (including several presidents). He has performed with stars including, David Bowie, The Plasmatics, and Tony Bennett.

As Von Cello, Aaron Minsky is the leader of the Von Cello band: the first cello-led rock power trio in history. Aaron Minsky is a Yamaha Artist. He has been interviewed on Good Day New York and Fox and Friends and radio programs internationally including, The Joey Reynolds Show (WOR), The Sue Marchant Show (BBC) and Upbeat (RNZ - Radio New Zealand). He has also been interviewed, featured in, and written articles for, several professional journals including: Oxford University Press (blog and video feature), Strings Magazine, The Strad, The American String Teacher, AUSTA Magazine (Australian String Teachers Association), JESTA Magazine (Junior European String Teachers Association), Allegro Magazine (Local 802, American Federation of Musicians), The International Musician (American Federation of Musicians), New York Violoncello Society Newsletter.

The most famous contemporary composer of cello etudes and encores, Aaron Minsky has published over a dozen books with Oxford University Press (OUP) including: "Ten American Cello Etudes", "Ten International Cello Encores", "Three Concert Etudes for Solo Cello", "Judaic Concert Suite for Solo Cello", "Three American Cello Duets", "Young American Ensembles" and "Pop Goes the Cello". Transcriptions of his music include: "Ten American Violin Etudes", "Ten International Violin Encores", and "Three American Pieces for Solo Viola". He composed the first classical arrangement of the Grateful Dead's music ever approved by their publisher (Ice Nine): "Dead Cello" (Latham Music). He self publishes, "Pacific Northwest Suite".

Mr. Minsky's works published by Von Cello, Inc., distributed by J.W. Pepper, include, "The Conqueror" – concerto for cello and symphony orchestra, "Summer Haze" - concerto for cello and string orchestra, "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh" (Holy, Holy, Holy) for cello and chorus, "Ten Suite Variations on the Bach Solo Cello Suites", "Legends of Cellandia" - for cello orchestra, "Eine Kleine Fun Muzik" - for string orchestra, plus many pieces for youth orchestra. Mr. Minsky's music is in the syllabuses of music adjudication exam services including, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ASBRM), American String Teachers' Association (ASTA), Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), New Zealand Music Examinations Board (NZMEB), New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA).

There are many videos of students and professionals from around the world playing Mr. Minsky's pieces on You Tube. There have been four recordings made by other cellists. Among those who have performed his music are: Patricia McCarty (Silver Medal winner - Geneva International Competition), Arno Van Kefkoff (associate principal cellist, Cape Town Philharmonic), David Johnstone (principal cellist - Pablo Sarasate Orchestra, Spain), Wesley Baldwin (University of Tennessee), Lawrence Stomberg (University of Delaware), John Graham (Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester).

Following are some reviews Mr. Minsky's music has received: "Young students may find these much more enjoyable to practice than the standard etudes." - The Strad, UK. "The etudes are unique in applying traditional cello techniques to vernacular American themes; we enthusiastically recommend them." - Strings Magazine, US. "Minsky has a gift for composing in a fun, contemporary style that is also pedagogically sound." - American String Teacher.

Established musicians have praised Mr. Minsky's pieces. "I find these etudes excellent, innovative, intelligent, useful and amusing. I will advise its use wherever I can." - Janos Starker (concert cellist, professor at University of Indiana). "I believe the new generation of cellists must pay attention to the American popular music using these pieces. I'd like to include the etudes by Mr. Minsky in my teaching and solo repertoire." - Boris Pergamenschikow (Gold Medal winner, Tchaikovsky Competition, professor - Musikhochshule, Germany). "There are a number of works for the cello which, although not apparent in their time, have changed the course of cello writing or at least have had a telling influence on the next generation of cello literature... I predict this work for cello may well assume a similar importance." - David Johnstone (principal cellist - Pablo Sarasate Orchestra, Spain). "They (Three American Pieces) represent a 'slice' of American style that we do not have in the solo viola repertoire. Without question, I will try to incorporate them into my performance plans." - Donald McInness (University of Southern California). "Three Concert Etudes continue in the same delightful form as his earlier Ten American Cello Etudes. They present new techniques, some of which I have never seen before." - David Wells (Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music).

Mr. Minsky has given masterclasses, workshops and performances in the United States, England, Ireland. Australia and New Zealand, and has taught music on the primary, secondary and university levels.

Mr. Minsky is the author of, "Beyond Faith" (Xlibris). Rabbi Tovia Singer (Israel National Radio) called it, "Encyclopedic" and "an indispensable resource". Rabbi Pinchas Stolper (Orthodox Union) called it "an important book". Rabbi Yitzhak Rosenbaum (National Jewish Outreach) said, "It will be of great value to the thinking Jew". Rabbi Yisroel Fried (Chabad Lubavitch of the West Side) said, "It would also be beneficial to non-Jews... this book fills a very needed void".

Mr. Minsky studied at Manhattan School of Music, obtaining a Bachelor of Music in 1980. and a Master of Music in 1981. His teachers included David Wells (Manhattan School of Music), Harvey Shapiro and Channing Robbins (Juilliard), Einar Holm (Ithaca College), Jonathan Miller (Boston Symphony), and George Saslow (principal, Fort Wayne Philharmonic). Previous to his cello studies, Mr. Minsky studied guitar starting at age seven. By age fourteen he was playing professionally as a lead guitarist and singer-songwriter. His hundreds of original songs have occasionally served as inspiration for classical compositions, most notably his concerto, "Summer Haze".

Mr. Minsky composed scores for shows for Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth, working with disadvantaged children. He organized a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy and has performed for fundraisers for victims of 9/11, Monmouth Hospital's oncology department, and other causes.

Mr. Minsky has received several ASCAPUS Awards (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and was accepted into NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences - the Grammys). He was the composer for Nova Award winning video, "So, You Are Having a Baby", and "Dream City", winner of the Silver Award for Experimental Film - Houston Film Festival, and the Jury Award - New York Expo of Short Film and Video.

Links:

http://www.voncello.com

http://www.youtube.com/voncello

http://www.twitter.com/voncello

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lwcIzGu7aY

https://blog.oup.com/2014/06/composer-and-cellist-aaron-minsky-in-12-questions/

http://www.cello.org/Newsletter/Articles/minsky.htm

http://www.cello.org/newsletter/articles/minskyjourney.htm

https://relix.com/articles/detail/dead_classical_lives/

https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/going-global/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKI2BgPhSaYc

He has been featured in numerous honors publications, including the 55th through 58th editions of Who's Who in America.

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