WILLIAM ROUNDS, CELLO

Originally from Rapid City South Dakota, cellist William Rounds began musical studies first privately on piano and then on other instruments through public school programs. By the time he was in high school he was performing professionally on the cello, euphonium and bass guitar. Mr. Rounds received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees studying at Boston University with world renowned cellist-pedagogue George Neikrug, during which time he also played lead baritone with the DCI world champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. He received fellowships for study at the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic and the Tanglewood Music Center with the Boston Symphony as well as being one of two American string players selected for the exclusive Villa Musica in Germany. Mr. Rounds was Assistant Principal Cello with the National Repertory Orchestra during their tour of Asia. He was a member of the Artaria String Quartet for three years, performing and teaching throughout the United States and Germany as well as touring with pop superstar John Denver.

After joining the Portland Symphony Orchestra Mr. Rounds subsequently auditioned for and became an extra player with the Boston Symphony and auditioned for John Williams, joining the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in 1992. As a cellist with the Pops he has performed many hundreds of concerts, made recordings and TV tapings, been on 40 tours throughout the United States, Canada and Asia and played annually on live national television for their Fourth of July broadcast. As an extra with the Boston Symphony he has toured throughout the world including Asia with Maestro Seiji Ozawa and, most recently, Europe with Maestro Andris Nelsons. Mr. Rounds has appeared throughout the United States as a soloist, both in recital and with orchestras and is in demand for giving clinics and master classes. He is on the faculty at the University of Southern Maine and has maintained a long affiliation with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras.

In addition to his classical career Mr. Rounds performed on the Oscar winning soundtrack to "Schindler's List" as well as for numerous other movies, has recorded for Aerosmith and appeared as back up to a wide range of popular artists from David Byrne to Jerry Vale. In demand as a chamber musician, he has appeared throughout the United States, in Europe and Japan. He currently performs with the Orlando Chamber Soloists and the West Stockbridge Chamber Players.