(updated)

Aaron Minsky, one of the world’s most influential string musicians, was already an accomplished rock guitarist and singer/songwriter when, at the age of 16, his search for a new guitar-sound led him to the cello. Taking on the moniker, "Von Cello", he declared his goal of revolutionizing cello playing, but to be taken seriously, he first established himself as a classical cellist, falling in love with classical music in the process. Upon graduating from Manhattan School of Music he joined several orchestras including Orquesta Filarmonica de Caracas, the Virginia Opera and various chamber ensembles. During this time he also performed with famous musicians including Mstislav Rostropovitch, Tony Bennett and David Bowie. He went on to create the world's first cello-fronted-rock-power-trio, also called “Von Cello", a touring band which made four CDs, and performed on television shows such as, Fox and Friends, and radio stations such as, WOR. 

 

With acceptance in the classical world, Aaron developed his new cello style, publishing over a dozen music books with Oxford University Press. Several of the pieces appear in the syllabuses of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and other top music adjudication services and universities around the world, and are played by thousands of cellists and other instrumentalists every year. Mr. Minsky has given masterclasses, workshops and performances in the United States, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Wales, and joined the faculty of the Summit Music Festival. An award-winning member of ASCAP, Mr. Minsky is president of Von Cello, Inc., which distributes his most recent compositions through J.W. Pepper. 

​

A Yamaha artist, Aaron Minsky is renowned for pioneering his “celtar” style (pronounced “chel-tar”), which involves playing chords, creating electric-guitar-type sounds, and holding and playing the cello like a guitar, often using a pick. Along with interviews on national television and radio stations, he has been featured on the BBC and RNZ. His first published work, “Ten American Cello Etudes", was premiered by the composer at the First World Cello Congress, University of Maryland. He composed “Dead Cello”, the first classical arrangement of Grateful Dead music ever approved by its publisher. He was commissioned by the London Cello Society to compose, “Legends of Cellandia” conducting the premiere at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He later conducted the Australian premiere (under the auspices or AUSTA) with 70 cellists. He premiered his concerto for cello and symphony orchestra, “The Conqueror” with the Staten Island Philharmonic. He premiered his concerto for cello and string orchestra, “Summer Haze” with the Taranaki Youth Orchestra, New Zealand. He premiered his work for cello and chorus, “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh" (Holy, Holy, Holy) with St. John’s Voices (of Cambridge University). He premiered his, Ten International Cello Encores, at Ithaca College. He premiered his, Judaic Concert Suite, on television in New York City. He premiered his, Pop Goes the Cello, in London and various cities around Australia. He premiered his, Ten Suite Variations on the Bach Cello Suites, in London. He premiered his, Ten Cello Etudes From the 4th Dimension, in Cambridge. The Von Cello Band continues to perform in various incarnations. For all the above, Mr. Minsky has been recognized as a Marquis Who’s Who Top Artist, and given their prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. 

​

Aaron Minsky studied cello with Harvey Shapiro and Channing Robbins (of Juilliard), Jonathan Miller (Boston Symphony), Einar Holm (Ithaca College), George Saslow (Kingsboro College), and David Wells of Manhattan School of Music where he obtained Bachelors and Masters degrees in music performance.