Nitzan Laster Cellist

Everywhere he performs, Nitzan Laster is praised for his personal approach and his intense style. Born in Israel, he began his studies with Schmuel Magen at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem and in 1990 won first prize in the Rubin Academy Competition. As a result he was invited to play the Haydn Concerto in C major with the orchestra of the Academy.

An expert in contemporary music, he won the Competition for Interpretation of 20^th Century Music in Jerusalem. In 1995 he became a member of the acclaimed Israeli contemporary music ensemble Kaprizma which toured Europe and Israel extensively.

With Kaprizma, he released a CD performing the works of Abel Erlich and Michael Wolpe.

In 1992, having been awarded the American-Israeli Keren Sheret Foundation prize, he went to France where he entered the prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris to study with Michel Strauss. While there he performed with the Ensemble Intercontemporain Conservatoire de Paris, founded by Pierre Boulez, and in Festival International des Musiques d'aujourd'hui.

In addition to his studies in Paris, he took part in master classes in the United States and Europe with such distinguished cellists as Yanos Starcher and Aldo Parisot.

A devoted chamber musician Nitzan participated in the Festival of Arts in New York, the Spring Festival in Saint Petersbourg and the Israel Festival;

He is currently a member of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.

An inspiring pedagogue, Nitzan gives Master classes every year in Israel and in the U.K