Michael Katz '09 Joins The Philadelphia Orchestra

We are thrilled to announce that Grammy-nominated cellist Michael Katz ‘09 will be joining The Philadelphia Orchestra as a section cellist this April, as the orchestra celebrates its 125th concert season. Katz, known for his “bold, rich sound” (Strad Magazine) and “nuanced musicianship” (New York Times), has performed across the globe, in venues like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. As a soloist, he has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Princeton Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, and The Juilliard Orchestra.

Katz has also enjoyed a successful chamber music career, collaborating with top artists like Itzhak Perlman, Midori, and Isabel Leonard. As a member of the Lysander Piano Trio, he earned top prizes at multiple competitions, and their albums have garnered critical acclaim.

An advocate for music education and outreach, Katz has been a Fellow in Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect and is a core member of Decoda. He has premiered works by over 50 composers and is a faculty member at the Csehy Summer School of Music.

Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Katz studied at the New England Conservatory under Laurence Lesser, Juilliard, and SUNY Stony Brook. He expressed his excitement about joining The Philadelphia Orchestra:

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to become a part of such a storied ensemble, and I’m looking forward to many years of incredible music-making with my new musical family!”

We congratulate Michael on this incredible achievement and look forward to his contributions to The Philadelphia Orchestra.