Ariel (Ari) Volovelsky was born in Sydney and began learning the cello at age six with Boris Suraev. He continued his studies with Umberto Clerici from age 15 until he commenced his studies in 2018 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY under the guidance of Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliott, returning to Australia in March 2020 due to the pandemic. He completed his BMus at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music studying cello with Julian Smiles and studying conducting with Dr Stephen Mould. Other influential teachers include Hans Jensen, Julia Lichten, and Michael Goldschlager.
Ari has been fortunate to play in masterclasses for Steven Isserlis, Li-Wei Qin, Nicolas Altstaedt and Paul Watkins.
As an orchestral musician Ari was principal cello of the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and has been principal cello of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra as well as the Early Music Ensemble, where he also began to dabble in Viola da Gamba under the guidance of Daniel Yeadon.
In 2023 Ari was the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s cello fellow.
His love of music encompasses each epoch from 11th century Organum through to pop music, with a special affinity for Bruckner and Baroque Opera along the way.
In 2024 Ari commences his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) under the tutelage of Howard Penny.
When he’s not playing the cello, Ari loves reading, running and wearing baskets on his head (not all at the same time).
Ari is fully supported by ANAM Syndicate donors David Recht.
Photo by Pia Johnson