Kenneth Lurie’s degrees are from Ithaca College (B.M.), the Cleveland Institute of Music (M.M.), and the Eastman School of Music (D.M.A.) where he studied with Einar Holm, Alan Harris and Steven Doane. Among his other teachers were Colin Hampton, Aldo Parisot and Mischa Schneider. Lurie additionally studied at Kneisel Hall, Meadowmount, the Quartet Program and the First International Course of Violoncello (Brazil).

In addition to performing frequently with faculty colleagues, Lurie has also collaborated with the Fry Street and Degas String Quartets. His orchestral experience includes serving as assistant principal cellist for two years each with the Caracas Philharmonic (Venezuela) and Roanoke Symphony and as principal cellist with the Rochester Festival Orchestra, Shreveport Summer Music Festival and Western Piedmont Symphony. Lurie has performed a number of concerti and other solos with orchestra.

At home in a wide range of musical styles, Lurie has played electric cello with the Aurora Ensemble, guitar with Mississippi Fred McDowell, mandola with the High Country Klezmorim and recorded with the Appalachian Acoustic Ensemble. Prior to joining the faculty of the Hayes School of Music, Lurie held academic appointments at Shenandoah Conservatory, Roanoke College and the Caracas Conservatory. His students have developed careers as public school teachers, college professors, chamber musicians and symphony orchestra cellists.

Sound Files (mp3):

• Jericho by Livingston Gearhart
• Bachianas Brazileiras No. 5. by Heitor Villa Lobos