Cellist Michael Mermagen is Associate Professor of Cello at UMKC Conservatory. For over 25 years, he has served as Artist Faculty and Chamber Symphony Principal Cellist of the Aspen Music Festival and School. He was formerly Associate Professor of Cello and Chamber Music, Head of the Instrumental Division, and Adviser in Orchestral Instruments for the Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America. 

Michael made his debut with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra after receiving its Young Soloist’s Award. His principal teachers were Paula Skolnick Childress and Mihaly Virizlay (Peabody Preparatory), Stephen Kates (Peabody Conservatory), and Zara Nelsova (The Juilliard School). As the Juilliard School’s concerto competition winner, he performed with Juilliard Orchestra under Otto-Werner Mueller in Alice Tully Hall. 

Michael toured with American Chamber Players from 1997 to 2003 and from 1987 to 1995 with Arista Piano Trio. He collaborated with the San Francisco Ballet and was featured as the cello soloist for the New York premiere of two works by the renowned choreographer Mark Morris. He joined violinist Jody Gatwood and pianist Marilyn Neeley in Rome Trio. Michael is currently performing around the country with the Aspen String Trio, formerly the ensemble in residence at the University of Baltimore. 

He has performed chamber music in Aspen with such artists as Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Jeremy Denk, Nadja Salerno- Sonnenberg, Gil Shaham, The Takács Quartet, and others.

He has participated in Grand Canyon Music Festival, Prince Albert Music Festival in Kauai, and Bay Chamber Concerts in Rockport, Maine. He has been heard on WQXR’s Concerts Plus, WNYC’s Around New York, and regularly on NPR’s Performance Today. 

He performs on a Nicolo Gagliano cello, Naples, 1774.