Cellist Gary Hoffman Joins Curtis Institute of Music Faculty

He will succeed Carter Brey, principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic, who will officially step down from the post at the end of the 2020–21 academic year

Cellist Gary Hoffman will join the Philadelphia-based institution as the Nina and Billy Albert Chair in Cello Studies in the Fall of 2021.

He joins the list of Curtis' esteemed faculty including Pamela Frank, Midori, Hsin-Yun Huang, Ida Kavafian, and Harold Hall Robinson.

Hoffman currently teaches in residence for cello at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Brussels. He previously taught at the was the Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he was the youngest faculty appointee in the history of the institution.

As the first North American to win the Rostropovich International Cello Competition in 1986, Hoffman has played with the leading international orchestras, conductors, and chamber groups.

"I have enjoyed a rewarding relationship with Curtis and its outstanding students for many years now and it is with feelings of great pride and honor that I expand my role by joining the esteemed faculty," Hoffman said.

“I am equally privileged to follow in the footsteps of my friend and colleague, Carter Brey. Carter and I have known each other for many years and the sense of trust and respect between us, and Peter Wiley as well, will, I hope and believe, ensure continuity within the cello department and Curtis as a whole," he added.

"Curtis is honored to welcome Gary as our newest faculty member," said Roberto Díaz, president and CEO of the school. "Our students have long benefited from his many residencies with us, so I am very pleased to deepen the connection."