Aiden Russell
Aiden Russell, a cellist from Ottawa, Ontario, joined the cello section of Symphony Nova Scotia in September of 2022. Aiden completed his Graduate Performance Diploma and Masters degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Music under the direction of Alan Stepansky. Prior to this, Aiden completed his Bachelors degree at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University under the direction of Matt Haimovitz.
Aiden has had the opportunity to learn from many of the world’s elite artists including Marin Alsop, Astrid Schween, Peter Wiley, Steven Doane, Johannes Moser, and Brannon Cho. In 2021, he competed in the National Arts Centre Bursary Competition and was awarded the Crabtree Foundation Award which supports a candidate in pursuit of an orchestral career. Aiden is an alumnus of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the International Cello Institute, the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra Mentorship Program.
Aiden has a passion for teaching cello, piano, and music theory lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. With a background of progressing through the RCM examinations, he is well able to prepare students for those as well.
Aiden believes in an emphasis on proper posture and playing technique to avoid injury and develop good habits early on. During lessons, there is always encouragement for students to ask questions and discuss their own ideas. Aiden often uses fun anecdotes in lessons to help describe an idea or technique being worked on by a student in a way that may be more relatable for them. He teaches music theory ranging from basic rudiments and basic harmony to more advanced harmony, counterpoint, score analysis and 20th century compositional tools.
https://www.aidenrussellcello.com/