Cellist Jared Ballance, a northwest native, is active as both a performer and teacher in the Seattle area. The Cleveland Plain Dealer praised his solo playing for its “poetic and dramatic panache.” He is currently the cellist of the Ballance Duo, was previously the cellist of the Samford String Quartet and the Brandywine Piano Trio, and has performed chamber music with members of the Cleveland Orchestra. Before returning to the northwest, Jared was professor of cello at Oakwood University and Samford University. Jared enjoys working together with composers and has premiered many new works for solo cello and chamber ensembles. Jared combines his interest in history and music by presenting lecture recitals on music written by composers who were censured, imprisoned, or killed during the Nazi Holocaust. Jared earned a bachelors and masters degree in cello performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a master of music degree in music theory pedagogy from the Eastman School of Music, and a doctor of musical arts degree from the Eastman School of Music. He studied cello with Richard Aaron, Desmond Hoebig, and Alan Harris, viola with Jeffery Irvine, plus additional studies in violin, piano, and viola da gamba. He holds the internationally recognized Dalcroze License from Carnegie Mellon University and the Dalcroze Certificate from Juilliard. He teaches Dalcroze classes in his studio, for the National Children’s Chorus, and frequently presents Dalcroze workshops for teachers.

Jared passionately enjoys nature and the outdoors. He backpacked the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier in 2022.