New England Conservatory Announces Cellist Blaise Déjardin to Join String Faculty in Fall 2022

New England Conservatory Announces Cellist Blaise Déjardin to Join the String Faculty in Fall 2022

The NEC alumnus is principal cellist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a recording artist, and an author

(Boston, MA–February 8, 2022)  New England Conservatory (NEC) announces cellist Blaise Déjardin will join the string faculty beginning with the Fall 2022 academic year. A Master of Music and Graduate Diploma alumnus of NEC who studied with cellist Laurence Lesser, Déjardin has been warmly welcomed back to NEC with regularity as a guest artist and master class instructor. The Strasbourg-born cellist was appointed principal cello of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) by Music Director Andris Nelsons in spring 2018, having joined the BSO’s cello section in 2008.

Benjamin Sosland, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, comments, “There is always a special pleasure in welcoming an alumnus back ‘home’ to join the faculty, and I can scarcely think of a nicer homecoming than this one. Blaise is a musician of consummate skill and exceptional artistry, and an exemplar and beneficiary of the legendary cello teaching that is a hallmark of NEC. Now it’s his turn to pass on his knowledge to a new generation of cellists. I am excited for him and for his future students at NEC.” 

Blaise Déjardin adds, “I am thrilled to be joining the wonderful NEC faculty in Fall 2022. It feels very special to return to my alma mater and to be able to give back to an institution which has given me so much as a young artist. I look forward to working with the students, teachers, and staff to make our world a little more beautiful every day through music.”

About Blaise Déjardin

Strasbourg-born cellist Blaise Déjardin was appointed principal cello of the Boston Symphony Orchestra by BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons in spring 2018, having joined the BSO’s cello section in 2008. He is the 14th principal cello in the history of the orchestra. Mr. Déjardin has performed as soloist with orchestra around the world (Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Longwood Symphony Orchestra, Cape Ann Symphony, Melrose Symphony Orchestra). Recent solo performances featured concertos by Dvorák, Saint-Saëns, Brahms, and Shostakovich.

A dedicated chamber musician, he spent two summers at Ravinia’s Steans Institute and has been a member of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players since 2018. Previously, Déjardin was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester. He was also a founding member of A Far Cry and the Boston Cello Quartet. He has arranged numerous pieces for cello ensembles, earning five ASCAP Plus Awards and receiving commissions from Yo-Yo Ma, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and A Far Cry. In 2013 he launched Opus Cello, his online sheet music publishing company. He has served as artistic director of the Boston Cello Society since its creation in 2015.

Mr. Déjardin made his debut with orchestra at age fourteen performing Haydn’s C major Concerto at the Corum in Montpellier, France. Among his numerous awards and honors, he was awarded first prize at the Maurice Gendron International Cello Competition and was also the youngest prizewinner at the 6th Adam International Cello Competition in New Zealand. In 2007 he made his Paris recital debut at Le Petit Palais as a laureate of the program Déclic supporting emerging young soloists in France.

In 2019 Mr. Déjardin released the album “MOZART New Cello Duos” with cellist Kee-Hyun Kim, featuring his own transcriptions. He also appears on both Boston Cello Quartet albums “Pictures” and “The Latin Project.” His first album as principal cello of the BSO, “Adès conducts Adès,” was released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2020.

He holds a first prize in cello with highest honors from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Paris, as well as a master of music diploma and a graduate diploma from the New England Conservatory in Boston. His main teachers were Philippe Muller, Laurence Lesser, and Bernard Greenhouse. He has taught privately and at the Tanglewood Music Center and is regularly invited to give master classes in Europe, China, and North America. His instructional book “Audition Day” was published by Opus Cello in 2022.

About New England Conservatory (NEC)

Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, the New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston’s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians’ impact on advancing our shared humanity, and empowers students to meet today’s changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance.

As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz and contemporary improvisation. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, it empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.

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