New Directions Cello Festivals History and Mission

History and Mission

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Since 1995, the New Directions Cello Festival has provided a forum for the exchange of music and ideas in the field of nonclassical and alternative cello.

We strive to embrace all styles of music not commonly taught at music schools, especially those that incorporate improvisation.

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Claude Lamothe Concert 2009

Since our first festival in New York City’s Knitting Factory (1995), our annual festival has presented a veritable who’s who of nonclassical cello in New York City, Boston, Connecticut, Wisconsin, California and now in Ithaca New York. Some of the cellists who have graced our stages include; David Darling, Eugene Friesen, David Baker, Mark Summer, Jami Sieber, Vincent Courtois, Stephen Katz, Ernst Reijseger, David Eyges, Akua Dixon, Jeffrey McFarland-Johnson, Rufus Cappodocia, Jane Scarpantoni, Chris White, Erik Friedlander, Dawn Avery and Robert Een.

Learn more about how our history by reading Chris White’s article, Looking Back.

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Erik Friedlander