Yves Dhar
Captivating audiences with his lush tone “that might be described as something akin to rich old wood” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), YVES DHAR has earned a worldwide reputation as a “technically and interpretatively outstanding” (STRAD) cellist. Known for his charm, innovation, and innate ability to connect with audiences, the Franco-West Indian artist and thought leader is invited by leading orchestras, presenters and organizations to perform, inspire and innovate on the world’s major stages.
In 2021/22, Dhar returned to stage with a focus on premiering new projects developed while sheltered in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forefront of these fresh productions is the ground-breaking Automation, best described as a Human/A.I. double concerto for cello, halldorophone, electronics, and visual projections, composed by Adam Schoenberg. Featuring Dhar as live soloist pitted against the holographic A.I. cellist AGNES (Automatic Generator Network of Excellent Songs), Automation explores the complex relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. The work premiered with Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra in May 2022 to rave reviews:
“The first-class bowing and technical prowess of [Yves Dhar] on both cello and halldorophone was simply stunning … Automation is perhaps one of the best new pieces that has been performed by our Orchestra in many years. The piece was like a roller coaster ride I didn’t want to end. Stunning from first note to last. I am still craving to hear more” (Annette Skaggs, Arts Louisville).
Past highlights include appearances at Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center (New York); the Kennedy Center (DC); Orchestra Hall, Ravinia Festival, and Chicago Cultural Center (Chicago); Disney Hall (LA); National Arts Center (Ottawa); Berliner Festspiele; Téatro Nacional (Dominican Republic); Panama Jazz Festival; Centro Cultural Kirchner (Buenos Aires), COEX Theater (Seoul), and the Thailand National Cultural Center (Bangkok). Dhar has featured as soloist with the orchestras of Louisville, Houston, Green Bay, Edmonton, Florida, Dominican Republic, Córdoba (Argentina), and Juilliard, with which he performed William Schuman’s A Song of Orpheus at David Geffen (Avery Fisher) Hall as part of the Juilliard School’s Centennial Celebration in 2006.
Dhar is equally in demand as a chamber musician and has collaborated with artists such as Sir Simon Rattle, Itzhak Perlman, Miriam Fried, Christian Tetzlaff, Cho-Liang Lin, Gilbert Kalish, Ralph Kirshbaum, Mischa Dichter, Isabel Leonard, and members of the Emerson, Cleveland, Guarneri, and Orion Quartets. Outside the classical world, he has shared the stage with Christina Aguilera, Sting, Arijit Singh, Vampire Weekend, Tony Bennett, Dennis DeYoung (Styx), Chick Corea, Robin Williams, and Bert from Sesame Street. He has recorded over 30 albums in collaboration with other artists and has appeared, recorded and written scores for TV, film and ads (Annie; Allure; HBO’s The Plot Against America; Budweiser, Disney, VISA, Micoli Studio, Maestro). In a review of the indie film Allure (Vladan Nikolic, Surla Films), the New York Times writes, “Allure draws oodles of atmosphere from [Dhar’s] spare piano-and-strings soundtrack.”
Dhar is a founding member of the genre-defying Bohemian Trio and the cutting-edge Secret Quartet. He draws on his diverse heritage and followed his passion for arts advocacy, entrepreneurship and engaging new audiences as a fellow of Ensemble Connect (formerly ACJW), which featured life-changing presentations at Rikers Island, schools for special needs, children’s cancer wards, and NYC flash mobs. He continues this work as a member of Decoda, the official affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall, and co-founded the nonprofit organizations New Docta (to nurture and mentor Latin American talent), and Cello Makes Everything Better (to make classical music more accessible and relevant to mainstream audiences).
Dr. Dhar joined the faculty of Vassar College in 2018. He was a pupil of Aldo Parisot at Yale University where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in History (Medieval Mediterranean Studies), a Master of Music, and an Artist Diploma. He further studied in Joel Krosnick and Darrett Adkins’s studio at the Juilliard School where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree and served as teaching assistant to Mr. Krosnick from 2006 to 2009. He has also worked with Paul Katz at the New England Conservatory. He plays an 1842 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume cello. In his leisure time, he loves to learn about and taste the great wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux, and is a zealous supporter of the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Arsenal FC.
YouTube, FB, IG, Tw: @yvesdhar