Nicholas Canellakis
cello

Cellist Nicholas Canellakis has performed throughout the United States and Europe to critical acclaim. In The New York Times his playing was praised as "impassioned," with "the audience seduced by Mr. Canellakis' rich, alluring tone." In the The New York Sun he was noted for his "eloquence and fire."

Mr. Canellakis is a member of the prestigious Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society Two. He is also a member of Ensemble ACJW, in which he performs regularly at Carnegie Hall and brings music to New York City public schools. He is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege.

Mr. Canellakis has performed at the festivals of Santa Fe, Ravinia, Music@Menlo, Sarasota, Verbier, Aspen, and Music from Angel Fire. A regular performer at Bargemusic in New York City, he has also concertized in venues such as Weill and Zankel Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, Jordan Hall, and Disney Hall.

Mr. Canellakis was a founding member of the Vertigo String Quartet, which received First Prize in the Musicatri International Competition in Italy in 2006. The group received a Barrymore Award by the Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia for unusual collaboration with the Arden Theatre in the production of the acclaimed play "Opus." During the 2007-08 season, the Vertigo Quartet was in residence at Bargemusic and made its New York debut on the New School concert series.

Mr. Canellakis graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Orlando Cole and Peter Wiley and was principal cellist of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. He holds a Masters degree from New England Conservatory, where he worked with Paul Katz and was the recipient of the Gregor Piatigorsky Award. Mr. Canellakis was a top prizewinner in the Johansen International Competition in Washington, D.C., and has been principal cellist of the New York String Orchestra and the Haddonfield Symphony.

Filmmaking is a special interest of Mr. Canellakis. He has produced, directed and written several short films. Mr. Canellakis lives in New York City, where he grew up.