AFFLICTIONS OF HUMANITY: DEATH & TRANSFIGURATION
Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 at 4:00 pm
First United Methodist Church, Sartell, MN
Free (inkind donations are welcomed)
MEET THE SOLOIST: ERIC GRAF, CELLIST
Eric Graf is a teacher and performer based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Eric is a section
cellist with the Duluth Symphony, and was recently cellist of Twin Cities-based Lux String
Quartet for four seasons. During his time in Cleveland, he also held positions as assistant
principal cellist with the Wheeling Symphony, section cellist in the Lexington Philharmonic,
and principal cellist of the Mansfield Symphony. Eric has performed as soloist with regional
orchestras around the country, and has given recitals in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Having completed his long-term Suzuki teacher training with Dr. Melissa Kraut, Eric has a
deep understanding of the Suzuki method as well as more traditional methods. An avid
teacher of all levels and ages, he maintains a full private studio around the greater
Minneapolis-St. Paul area. He has been cello faculty for many summer camps across the
country, including the Colorado Chamber Music Institute and Cuyahoga Community College’s
Strings Attached camp.
Eric holds a Master’s degree in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the Cleveland
Institute of Music, where he studied with renowned Suzuki pedagogue Dr. Melissa Kraut. He
also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin
Cities, having studied with Ms. Tanya Remenikova.
Eric will be performing the Trauermusik by Paul Hindemith with CMYO's Encore ensemble.