Zack Reaves is an acclaimed cellist, teacher, and arranger well versed in a wide range of musical styles. His career has taken him around the globe and has consisted of diverse and innovative performances everywhere from Carnegie Hall to local cafes and brewpubs. His open-minded, energetic, and collaborative approach to music has earned him praise among a wide range of audiences.

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Born into a musical family, Zack began playing cello at age 10 through the public school strings program and had his first professional opportunities in high school, frequently playing with his parents’ string quartet at weddings and events.

 

Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Zack spent seven years as a founding member of the Altius Quartet, which toured internationally, recorded three studio albums, and were prizewinners at the 2014 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He was also formerly the Visiting Music Director and Principal Cellist of the Oklahoma Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and Assistant Principal Cellist of the Boulder Philharmonic.

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As a teacher, Zack carries a strong philosophy of critical thinking and communication through music. He believes that anyone can learn to play an instrument and has taught cellists of all ages and skill levels. Reaves has taught at institutions such as Oklahoma City University, University of Colorado-Boulder, Denver School of the Arts, and Boulder Valley Waldorf School, as well as maintaining his own private studio. Currently, Zack is  a teaching artist with the LA Phil’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA).

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More recently, Zack has become widely known as an accomplished string arranger. His string quartet arrangements are frequently performed by ensembles around the globe and are regularly featured on Candlelight Concerts by Fever. Recordings of his arrangements have received over four million streams on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. In 2022, Reaves launched his project Rogue Lemon Collective, a multi-genre string ensemble which aims to push the boundaries and perceptions of string instruments through improvisation, performing original works and arrangements, as well as collaborating primarily with non-classical artists.

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Reaves holds degrees in cello and chamber music performance from Southern Methodist University and the University of Colorado - Boulder. His principal teachers include Andres Diaz, Christopher Adkins, András Fejér, David Requiro, Jim Shelley, and Greg Sauer.

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When not making music, Zack enjoys snowboarding, hiking, photography, going to the beach, and being very snobby about his coffee. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Parisa, his son, Arya, and his two dogs, Cassie and Blue.

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Reaves plays on a cello made in 1969 by W.E. Hill & Sons and a bow made in 2019 by Evan Orman.