Joshua Roman

Joshua Roman is an American cello soloist and composer whose work spans traditional classical performance, contemporary repertoire, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Born in Oklahoma and raised in Oklahoma City, he began playing the cello at age three and gave his first public recital at ten. He later studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Richard Aaron and Desmond Hoebig, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cello performance.

At age 22, Roman was appointed principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony, becoming the youngest principal player in the orchestra’s history. After two seasons, he resigned to focus on a solo and creative career. Early critical reception highlighted his relaxed tone, confident phrasing, and musical sensitivity.

Roman has since developed a profile as a versatile soloist recognized for expressive playing and exploratory programming. Major media outlets have noted his balance of precision and spontaneity, as well as his interest in expanding how classical music is presented. He has performed with leading orchestras in the United States and internationally, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra.

A defining aspect of Roman’s career is his engagement with new audiences. He opened the 2017 TED Conference and performed the complete Bach Solo Cello Suites in a widely viewed TED presentation following the 2016 U.S. presidential election. His digital projects, including the “Popper Project” (a series of David Popper etude performances on YouTube), have attracted millions of views and positioned him as an early adopter of online platforms for classical music.

Roman is also active as a collaborator across genres. He has worked with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, DJ Spooky, Bill T. Jones, Somi, and Anna Deavere Smith. His trio with violinist Tessa Lark and bassist Edgar Meyer brings together classical and American roots influences.

As a composer, Roman has received commissions from institutions and ensembles including the Music Academy of the West, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Girls Chorus, and Grace Cathedral. He has also premiered works by contemporary composers such as Mason Bates, Reena Esmail, Gabriela Lena Frank, and others. For many years, he curated a chamber music series in Seattle that featured forward-looking artists and repertoire.

In 2024, Roman released Immunity, a deeply personal album shaped by his experience living with long COVID. The project combines music by J.S. Bach, George Crumb, Caroline Shaw, and Roman’s own compositions, and it has informed a series of performances and speaking engagements focused on health, resilience, and artistic vulnerability. Residencies and appearances connected to this work have included universities, festivals, and well-being concerts.

Roman plays an 1830 Giovanni Francesco Pressenda cello on loan through the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

Overall, Joshua Roman is regarded as a cellist who pairs classical training with contemporary awareness, using performance, composition, and media to broaden the reach of classical music.