Joshua Roman was the principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra from 2006 until 2008. Roman joined the orchestra at age 22,[1] becoming the youngest principal player in Seattle Symphony history.
In January 2008, Roman resigned his position as principal cellist at the end of the 2007–2008 season in order to pursue a solo career.[2]
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Critics have praised Joshua Roman’s performances since he first stepped on the stage at Benaroya Hall. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer declared his premiere performance an "auspicious beginning", noting that "Roman played with ease and confidence, the sound relaxed and singing, the phrasing shapely, the tone well projected seemingly without effort."[3] Melinda Bargreen of The Seattle Times has cited Roman’s "heart-stopping beauty... big, succulent tone and impassioned style."[4]
Joshua Roman often performs exciting repertoire that highlights his eclectic musical tastes and his youthful energy. He is an avid promoter of contemporary music, Roman has premiered many works—including his own original compositions—as well as solos, sonatas and concertos written solely for him.
Joshua Roman has also been known to perform at local nightclubs or abstract venues, mixing jazz, rock and bluegrass with the classical repertoire. Roman has also worked with several rock bands—his cello can be heard on MTV and radio stations nationwide. Along with his siblings Roman frequently travels to Uganda where they perform for thousands of schoolchildren, playing in hospitals, camps and refugee centers in Kampala and Gulu.
An Oklahoma native, Joshua Roman studied under Lacy McLarry, Gregory Sauer and Peter Spurbeck prior to attending the Cleveland Institute of Music. At Cleveland, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance in 2004 studying with Richard Aaron, and his Masters Degree in 2005 under Desmond Hoebig.
Roman has won top prizes at numerous competitions including the Klein, ASTA, Washington, Stulberg, NFMC, H-A Music Society, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, CIM, Cleveland Cello Society and Buttram. He has performed as a member of Cleveland Orchestra, and soloed with a number of symphony and chamber orchestras including the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, the Wyoming Symphony, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.