Praised by the Kansas City Star for his “sweet, sensuous tone and a sophisticated feel for long-breathed lines,” principal cellist Mark Tsuyoshi Gibbs holds the Robert A. Kipp Chair in the Kansas City Symphony.

Prior to his appointment in Kansas City in 1999, Gibbs earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University, where he was a student of Hans Jorgen Jensen. At Northwestern, Gibbs was named principal cellist of the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He also worked closely with Professor Jensen as a teaching assistant.

Gibbs’ numerous awards include the Northwestern University Civic Scholar String Fellowship, the Union League of Chicago Civic and Arts Foundation Prize, first place in the Northwestern University School of Music Concerto Competition, first prize in the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist National Competition as well as grand prize in the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition.

He has appeared as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, including on the Symphony's 2015 all Saint-Saëns disc from Reference Recordings, to critical acclaim.

He is proud to be known as a “Fine Kansan Cellist” (Audiophilia Online Magazine) and currently resides in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife, Kansas City Symphony principal second violinist Tamamo Someya Gibbs, and their daughters, Mika and Maho.

OTHER CELLISTS

Since joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra's cello section at the age of 19, cellist Ronald Feldman has received critical acclaim for a wide variety of musical achievements.

Feldman has appeared as cello soloist with many orchestras, performing a wide range of concerto repertoire from Dvorak to Ligeti. His many chamber music affiliations have included performances with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Collage New Music Ensemble, and the Boston Conservatory Chamber Players. His performances include collaborations with artists Emmanual Ax, Garrick Olsen, Gil Shaham, and Yo Yo Ma.

Feldman remained with the BSO through 2002, when he left to join the faculty of Williams College as Artist in Residence, Lecturer in Music, Director of Ensembles, and Conductor of the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, Feldman was named music director of Boston's Longwood Symphony Orchestra. He was formerly the conductor and Music Director of the New England Philharmonic and the Worcester Orchestra.

Twice winner of the American Symphony Orchestra League's ASCAP Award for Adventuresome Programming of Contemporary Music, Ronald Feldman has achieved critical acclaim for his work as conductor. He appeared as guest conductor with numerous ensembles including major orchestras such as the Boston Pops Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony as well as many regional orchestras including the Pro Arte Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Albany Symphony, the Amarillo Symphony, and the Quebec Symphony. After successful appearances as Guest Conductor for three consecutive seasons at Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood, where he substituted for John Williams, Maestro Feldman was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. He served as assistant to John Williams from 1989 to 1993.

Feldman currently directs the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, a regional orchestra in residence at Williams College. Feldman is artist in residence in orchestral/instrumental music, and coordinator of student string chamber music at Williams.

OTHER CELLISTS