Aaron Wong

I recall when I first held a 1/2-size cello at age nine, puzzling over how to coax sounds from the imposing wooden box. Learning to play the cello can be fascinating and daunting all at once. Thanks to my teachers who patiently guided me through the journey, I enjoy a lifelong passion for cello playing. My musical journey began in Hong Kong with MUNG TAN TO. He had an uncanny ability to inspire younger students through progressively challenging etudes and engaging repertoire. I advanced through the ABRSM syllabus, joined the Hong Kong Youth Symphony, and earned a scholarship to join the inaugural class of the junior division of the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. At the HKAPA, I studied with NATHAN WAKS, Principal Cellist of the Sydney Symphony, and JAY HUMESTON, Principal Cellist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I was introduced to a more challenging solo repertoire and learned symphonic and chamber music there. After a delightful summer studying with CASSEL GRUBB at the National Music Camp at Interlochen, I won a four-year full scholarship to study with STEPHEN KATES at the Peabody Institute, who showed me a new world of sound, tone color, and sense of musical timing from his studies with Gregor Piatigorsky. This period helped sharpen my musical sensibilities and elevate my playing for advanced studies at Juilliard. At Juilliard, I studied with the legendary ZARA NELSOVA. I savored each lesson, which was filled with insights and anecdotes from her studies with Casals and Piatigorsky. She had high standards for students, but she was also caring and generous, always encouraging and patient in discovering each student's unique voice. At a time when I was overwhelmed by the prodigious talents around me, Ms. Nelsova was a pillar of confidence and assurance that I, too, had important things to say and taught me to convey them well on the cello. Today, I am inspired to share the wealth of insights I gained to help cellists at all levels find their voice on the cello in a lifelong journey of joy and musical discoveries.