Welcome to CellOm Strings—a place where music, connection, and creativity come together. Our performances are tailored to elevate your special events, and this video offers a glimpse into the beauty and depth of what we bring to every occasion. Watch, listen, and experience the magic of live string music.
Debussy – Cello Sonata (with pianist Ian Scarfe)
Debussy’s Cello Sonata is pure poetry—by turns mysterious, playful, and deeply introspective. The first movement, Prologue, has a quiet grandeur, as if the cello is reflecting on past dreams. The Sérénade flirts with unpredictability, full of wit and mischief, while the Finale bursts forward like a sudden gust of wind, sweeping everything into motion.
I loved working on this sonata with pianist Ian Scarfe, whose artistry and deep musical intuition made every phrase feel like a conversation. Debussy’s music thrives on subtlety, and Ian’s ability to shape color and texture brought a whole new dimension to this performance.”*
Recorded in San Francisco, 2015
Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra with Sonoma County Philharmonic
Performing Rococo Variations with the Sonoma County Philharmonic was an incredible experience. The orchestra’s rich, vibrant sound created a powerful backdrop that brought so much depth to the interpretation. The energy of a live orchestral performance is unmatched—the collective force of so many musicians breathing life into the music together.
(Recorded live with Sonoma County Philharmonic, [2014)
Kodály’s Sonata is a raw, powerful journey—a conversation between deep resonance and fiery virtuosity. This piece pushes the cello’s expressive limits, demanding not only technical prowess but an emotional surrender to its intensity. For me, it feels like tapping into something primal and timeless, as if the cello itself is speaking in an ancient language.”
Recorded live in San Rafael, CA 2015
J.S. Bach – Gigue from Suite No. 3 for Solo Cello
The Gigue is pure joy in motion—a whirlwind of rhythm and momentum. Bach’s solo cello suites are a foundation of the cello repertoire, but each movement tells its own story. The Gigue, with its lively dance rhythms and buoyant spirit, is a reminder of the cello’s versatility—not just deep and resonant, but light and nimble.
This performance captures the energy and spontaneity that make Bach’s music timeless. Whether on stage or in an intimate setting, I love bringing this piece to life as a celebration of movement and expression.
Chamber Music
This intimate duo performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ showcases the expressive depth of cello and the warmth of guitar, blending seamlessly to bring out the piece’s emotional resonance. With each phrase, we weave a story of reflection, longing, and beauty, capturing the essence of this timeless melody.
Schoenberg – Pierrot lunaire (with Nonsemble 6)
Pierrot lunaire is a fever dream—Schoenberg’s eerie, hypnotic sound world feels like stepping into another dimension. The music shifts between the grotesque and the sublime, unsettling yet deeply expressive.
One of my favorite moments in this piece is depicting the Madonna—a haunting, almost surreal portrayal that blends reverence with distortion. There’s something otherworldly about how Schoenberg paints this figure in sound—fragile, sacred, yet strangely distant. In this performance with Nonsemble 6, I loved exploring the contrast between raw intensity and delicate beauty, as if balancing on the edge of a dream and a nightmare.
Dvořák – Dumky Trio (with Sophie Zhang & Solenn Séguillon at Banff Centre)
Dvořák’s Dumky Trio is one of my favorite chamber pieces—it’s a wild mix of joy, nostalgia, and heartbreak. The opening movement feels like a wistful folk song whispered across time, while the second movement bursts with dancing energy. Every time I perform this piece, I feel like I’m telling a story that’s at once deeply personal and universally human.
Playing this with pianist Sophie Zhang and violinist Solenn Séguillon at the Banff Centre was an unforgettable experience. Solenn’s expressive, soaring violin lines and Sophie’s rich, grounded piano sound created such a beautiful interplay with the cello. Chamber music is all about the chemistry between musicians, and this performance felt like a heartfelt musical dialogue, full of spontaneity and connection.