A “cellist of uncommon gifts” (San Diego Union Tribune), Peter Ko is a San Diego based cellist, whose projects have taken him across the USA, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. His performances include concerts with the Ojai Festival, Darmstädter Ferienkurse, the Next Festival of Emerging Artists, Neofonía Festival de Música Nueva Ensenada, ChatterABQ, and CNMAT@Berkeley. Peter’s work in new music has included close collaboration with composers such as Roger Reynolds, Adam Zuckerman, Douglas Osmun and Anqi Liu in the creation and premiere of new solo cello works–he is prolific in exploring the boundaries of what is materially possible with the cello, and is fiercely committed to realizing new works in earnest for composers.
Photo by Samuel Alejandro Lazo Garcia
Peter currently serves as principal cellist for the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, and has worked with the Palimpsest and Renga ensembles, Yarn/Wire, the USC Cello Ensemble, Project [BLANK], and San Diego New Music. He performs regularly as a soloist with orchestras in the region, presents chamber music with the Redwood Piano Trio and others, and collaborates with artists and dancers in the creation of interdisciplinary work.
Peter has received his significant musical training from Charles Curtis, Vernon Regehr, Ron Leonard, Ashley Walters, and Mario Ramirez. He has also received guidance from many other notable artists, including Lynn Harrell, Felix Fan, Mark Fewer, Adrian Brendel, the Gryphon Trio, and the Dover String Quartet. He holds a MMus from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a BA from University of California, San Diego. He is currently a DMA Candidate in Contemporary Music Performance at UC San Diego, and serves as faculty for Grossmont College
Peter Ko, Cellist 