Ryan Selberg is in his 32th season as principal cellist of the Utah Symphony. Originally from Los Angeles, Ryan began playing the cello in a 5th grade elementary string class. In the 6th grade he began taking private lessons, although his first teacher said he had no talent and suggested that he might consider doing something else. He continued his studies with Patricia Thomsen Pinkston and Joseph di Tullio, who was a student of Emmanuel Feuermann and principal cellist of several major studio orchestras in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Music Performance, and spent two and a half seasons in the section of the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta and also worked as a freelance musician in the recording studios of Hollywood. Before coming to Utah, he spent three years as principal cellist of the Edmonton Symphony in Alberta, Canada, where he also taught and performed at Alberta College, the University of Alberta, and the Banff School of Fine Arts. In addition to his duties as principal cellist of the Utah Symphony, Ryan is an active recitalist and chamber musician. He has been a featured soloist with the Utah Symphony, as well as many local community and university orchestras. He spent 14 years on the faculty of the University of Utah, and continues to teach privately. Ryan lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Joy and their two collies, and has two sons, Erik and Scott, and two grandchildren.
Tracie Price, Director and co-founder of the Black Glove Cello Festival, grew up in Sandy, Utah, and earned her Bachelor of Music degree with emphasis in music education from the University of Utah, studying with Ryan Selberg. She was the orchestra director for Washington County School District in St. George, Utah for five years, and for Kalispell School District No. 5 in Montana for two. Tracie served as principal cellist for both the Southwest Symphony in St. George, and the Glacier Orchestra in Kalispell during her tenures in those communities. After teaching for seven years, she returned to school to obtain her Master of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music studying with Richard Slavich. She was principal cellist of the Lamont Symphony, studied chamber music with Da Vinci Quartet members Jerilyn Jorgensen and Margaret Miller, and performed on masterclasses by the Vermeer, Prazak, and Brentano quartets. Tracie lived in Denver for five years engaging in a variety of musical endeavors from teaching, performing in the Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra, and freelancing, to working in the University’s music library. She co-founded and served as the the Artistic Director of the Colorado Britten Society which produced a number of high profile concerts featuring the music of Benjamin Britten.
Tracie returned to St. George in summer of 2003 and taught orchestra and piano at Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts for two years. She has a private cello studio, is the principal cellist of the Southwest Symphony, and also serves on the Executive Board of that organization. She is on the faculties of Dixie State College and Southern Utah University as an adjunct cello instructor, and performs in the pit orchestras for Tuacahn's Broadway in the Desert productions each summer. Tracie is also the cellist of the Tedesca String Quartet, has recently started a bow rehairing service, and is an active arranger, having published a number of works for cellos and other string ensembles.
Dr. Eileen Brownell, Assistant Director, is a native of Sparks Nevada. She is an active teacher and performer. Ms. Brownell is Principal cellist of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra in Muskegon, a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and also performs with Jackson, Kalamazoo, Rochester Hills, Saginaw, and Battle Creek Symphonies.
As a chamber musician, Eileen performs with the Envision Chamber Consort, a group dedicated to breaking down the barriers between performer and audience through interactive and intimate performance situations. Ms. Brownell performs regularly in the Ann Arbor community both as a recitalist and chamber musician.
Eileen maintains a private studio and is an adjunct cello instructor at Bowling Green University in Ohio. Every summer, Ms. Brownell co-administrates the Black Glove Cello Festival in St. George, Utah. The festival brings cellists from Utah, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana together for a full week of ensemble playing and coaching.
Dr. Brownell graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Denver with her Bachelor’s Degree in cello performance. Her string quartet was winner of the Lamont School of Music Honors Chamber Competition in 1997 and ‘98, and was runner-up in 1999. After studying in Denver, Eileen commenced studies at the University of Michigan, where she earned her Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. Her instructors have included Richard Slavich, Anthony Elliott, Katharine Knight, and Debra Fayroian.
Tracie returned to St. George in summer of 2003 and taught orchestra and piano at Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts for two years. She has a private cello studio, is the principal cellist of the Southwest Symphony, and also serves on the Executive Board of that organization. She is on the faculties of Dixie State College and Southern Utah University as an adjunct cello instructor, and performs in the pit orchestras for Tuacahn's Broadway in the Desert productions each summer. Tracie is also the cellist of the Tedesca String Quartet, has recently started a bow rehairing service, and is an active arranger, having published a number of works for cellos and other string ensembles.
