Noted for his passionate and expressive performances, Dr. Adam Riggs has played the cello since he was four years old.  In addition to his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, Adam holds a Master of Music from the Hartt School and a Bachelor of Music, as well as a Diploma in Chamber Music from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada.  A devoted chamber musician, Adam has performed alongside the Penderecki and Lafyette String Quartets, has worked with members of the Takacs, St. Lawrence, Emerson, Juilliard, Tokyo and Penderecki String Quartets.  

He has released two albums including the music of little know composer Jean Daniel Braun, and an album featuring music for ballet classes called “Pas de Cello”. He has been featured on Colorado Public Radio (CPR) and in the soon-to-be-released JRPG video game, Shunjinkov, playing the music of Brian LaGuardia, which will be released for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Adam is currently the principal cellist of Stratus Chamber Orchestra, and performs regularly as a sub with the Boulder Philharmonic and Colorado Ballet. An avid teacher, Adam is certified in the Suzuki Method through book 10.  Adam is Chair of Board, director and founder of the Colorado Cello Summit, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to strengthening and connecting Colorado’s cello community. Adam served on the board of the Suzuki Association of Colorado for the 4 years serving in multiple positions. In 2024 he was awarded the Colorado chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA)’s exemplary private teacher award.

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