Ariel 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 with High Distinction 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.
Ariel has been fortunate to play in masterclasses for Steven Isserlis, Alban Gerhardt, Li-Wei Qin, Nicolas Altstaedt and Paul Watkins.
Ariel has led the cello section of the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra, the SCM Early Music Ensemble (where he also began to dabble in Viola da Gamba under the guidance of Daniel Yeadon) as well as the ANAM orchestra.
His string quartet from his time at the Sydney Conservatorium - the Felix Quartet - was awarded the Henderson Travellers Scholarship as well as the Westheimer Quartet Fellowship, allowing the group to travel to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Finland. The same ensemble performed extensively in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in 2023 in Mainstage performances as well as delivering educational concerts throughout regional Far-North Queensland.
In 2023 Ariel was the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s cello fellow, and in 2024 he was an Emerging Artist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, mentored by Julian Thompson.
In 2024 Ariel was a finalist in the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition, and was awarded the St Silas Prize for the Most Outstanding First Year Performance in an ANAM Recital.
Ariel is thrilled to continue studying with Howard Penny in his second year at ANAM this year.
Outside of music, Ariel loves a good book, a good jog, and as an enthusiastic member of the Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things he can often be seen balancing teacups upon his head.
FROM: NSW. Lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.
Ari is supported by ANAM Syndicate donor David Recht.
Photo by Pia Johnson