Instructors

Cello and Piano Instructor

Ben Kalb

Ben Kalb is a cellist, pianist, string arranger, and music educator.  He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Cello Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, where he studied with world-renowned faculty, preparing classical repertoire for solo recitals and chamber ensembles.
As a student, Ben attended the Aspen Music School and Tanglewood summer festivals, as well as chamber music institutes including Kent Blossom, where he was coached by members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.  During his time at SUNY, he collaborated with multiple songwriters, developing his creative approach to instrumentation. After receiving his degrees, Ben held the principal on-stage cellist chair in two Tony award-winning Broadway musicals (Spring Awakening and Next To Normal), contributing string arrangements to the former, as well as performing as part of the show’s band during its Off-Broadway run.
He has toured nationally and/or performed with a variety of artists including Grammy-winning composer Duncan Sheik and Ingrid Michaelson, and has appeared with various artists on late-night talk shows including Late Night With Conan O’Brien and The Late Show With David Letterman.  His playing can also be heard on multiple studio recordings as both a cellist and string arranger.