Noted for his passionate and expressive playing, Dr. Adam Riggs is an avid chamber musician, teacher, and performer.  He has performed at music festivals across Canada, the United States, Italy, and the Czech Republic.  In addition to being the principal cellist of Stratus Chamber Orchestra, Adam regularly performs as a sub with the Boulder Philharmonic, the Colorado Ballet, as well as with Colorado-based dance company, Life/Art Dance Ensemble.  He has been heard on CPR radio and was a guest soloist for the Western Springs School of Talent Education and Naperville Suzuki School's 35th Anniversary concert at the Chicago Symphony Center.  He has released two recordings including Jean Daniel Braun’s 5 Suites for Cello and “Pas de Cello”, a multitrack cello recording of music for Ballet Classes. Additionally, he is featured 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 Chair of the Board and director and founder of the Colorado Cello Summit, an 501(c)3 organization dedicated to strengthening and connecting Colorado’s cello community. In addition to his classical music endeavors, Adam enjoys playing rock music and was cellist with Denver Indie band Saint Somebody, with whom he co-wrote, performed and helped produce a single in collaboration with Life/Art Dance Ensemble.

An avid teacher, Adam completed his Suzuki Teacher Training in 2016 with Carol Tarr at the University of Denver and Rick Mooney at the Greater Austin Suzuki Institute.  He currently teaches at Silver Strings Academy in Westminster.  In 2024 he was awarded the Colorado chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA)’s exemplary private teacher award. Previously, he has taught for the Continuing Education Department at the University of Colorado, at Parlando School of Musical Arts, and coached chamber music and taught cello at several summer music camps/festivals including the University of Colorado’s Summer Music Academy program. Adam was active on the Board of the Suzuki Association of Colorado for 4 years serving as Treasurer, Scholarship Committee Chair and Webmaster.

Adam began his cello studies at the age of four, and soon became a regular award winner at local and provincial competitions. He competed at the national level during his high school years before continuing his musical studies at University.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Honours Performance Degree and a Diploma in Chamber Music from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario), a Master of Music Performance degree from The Hartt School (Connecticut), and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Colorado Boulder.  His principal teachers include Sally Gross, Paul Pulford, Simon Fryer, Mihai Tetel and Judith Glyde.  He has also studied with András Fejér, Thomas Heinrich, Aldo Parisot and Shauna Rolston. Adam has also performed and worked with members of the Takacs, St. Lawrence, Emerson, Juilliard, Tokyo, and Penderecki String Quartets.  He performs on a cello made by Canadian maker Greg Walke and with a bow by Greg’s twin brother, Bernard Walke.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Adam is owner and photographer at AR Pictures. To see his work, visit: www.adamriggspictures.com