JULIAN SCHWARZ is recognized as a cellist destined to rank among the finest of the 21st century. Born in 1991 into a musical family, Schwarz made his concerto debut at age 11 with the Seattle Symphony under his father, EMF Music Director Gerard Schwarz. Since making his US touring debut with the Moscow State Radio Symphony in 2010, he has toured internationally as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. In 2013, he won first prize in the inaugural Schoenfeld International String Competition in Hong Kong, and in 2016, he won 1st prize in the Boulder International Chamber Music Competition with duo partner Marika Bournaki. During the 17-18 season, he premiered Lowell Liebermann’s first Cello Concerto with a consortium of 6 orchestras. An EMF alumnus, Julian studied with Neal Cary, won the 2008 EMF Concerto Competition, and is currently in his 8th year on faculty. He received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Joel Krosnick, later serving as his teaching assistant. He performs on a Gennaro Gagliano, circa 1743, and endorses the Pirastro Perpetual Medium set of cello strings. A devoted teacher, Schwarz serves as Asst. Professor of Cello at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA.