Ismail Akbar, Cello

Hailed as a cellist with "warmth and panache in solo flight"(Atlanta Journal Constitution) Ismail Akbar was born in Atlanta, received his Bachelors of Music degree in cello performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Masters of Music from Mercer University. Mr. Akbar has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout Panama, the Bahamas, Russia and Italy. Mr. Akbar has performed on National Public Radio, playing live on the show "From the Top". Mr. Akbar won the concerto competition at the University of South Carolina with the first movement of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. As a graduate of the prestigious Talent Development Program he performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Robert Spano playing the Boccherini Cello Concerto. He has also performed as soloist with the North Georgia Chamber Symphony, Clayton State Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia College Orchestra.

While studying as the first masters of music candidate at Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, Akbar received training from Christopher Rex, Julie Albers, Lynn Harrell, Peter Wiley, and Sara Sant'Ambrogio and performed chamber music in training with Robert McDuffie, David Halen and Sabina Thatcher. As founding member of the Helen String Quartet, in 2017 Mr. Akbar performed quartet recitals in 12th century town Orvieto. Helen String Quartet was the premier ensemble to present several performances at the Italian Festival’s Orvieto Musica.

He has held substitute positions as principal and assistant principal cellist of Spartanburg Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, Rockhill Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony, Verdi Chamber Symphony, North Georgia Chamber Symphony, Ludwig Symphony Orchestra, Greenville Symphony Orchestra and South Carolina Philharmonic. On a different note, he has recorded and performed extensively with Outkast, Take 6, Monica, Edie Levert, Van Hunt, Frank McComb, Dionne Farris, Joi Gilliam and Wycliffe Gordon.

Mr. Akbar is currently professor of cello and chamber music at Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Allen University and Clayton State University. He has served as Faculty Cello Instructor at Laurel Ridge Music Festival in Helen, Ga for 12 years. Mr. Akbar is on the Board of Directors of the Italian Music Festival Orvieto Musica. As Cello Teaching Artist of the Atlanta Music Project, Akbar is an advocate for social change through musical excellence.