Rainer Eudeikis

Rainer Eudeikis joined the Utah Symphony as Principal Cellist in 2014, having been appointed (at 23 years old) while still a student at the Curtis Institute of Music. He has also been Principal Cellist of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music since 2015.

Past performances include the U.S. premiere of renowned composer Bright Sheng’s “The Blazing Mirage” for Solo Cello and String Orchestra (Bright Sheng conducting) at Music From Angel Fire, appearances as part of the Nova and Intermezzo chamber music series in Salt Lake City, performances with the Starling Chamber Players, a tour of Andalucía, Spain as Guest Principal Cellist of the Classical Concert Chamber Orchestra, and many recital appearances across the United States. Other concerto appearances have included the Indiana University Chamber Orchestra, IU Baroque Orchestra, and a number of orchestras in his home state of Colorado.

He has participated in numerous international festivals, including the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival (Germany), Britten-Pears Programme at Aldeburgh (UK), and the Académie Musicale Internationale de Vaison-la-Romaine (France). Rainer was a two-year fellowship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival and School, and was a member of the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, where he was Principal Cellist in 2011.

Also an enthusiastic performer of Baroque and Classical repertoire on period instruments, Rainer studied closely with renowned Baroque violinist Stanley Ritchie. He has performed on period instruments in concerto, recital, and orchestral settings, and has worked with conductors Gary Wedow, Paul McCreesh, and Nicholas McGegan, among others.

Born in Texas in 1990, Rainer began cello studies at the age of six. Following studies in Colorado with Jurgen de Lemos, he attended the University of Michigan as a student of Richard Aaron, completing his B.M. in 3 years with highest honors. He received his M.M. from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Eric Kim. In May 2014, Rainer completed his Artist Diploma at the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with Carter Brey and Peter Wiley.