Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Gasworth.
Ross, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started playing the cello when I was 3 1/2. My family has always been incredibly supportive, which is a large part of why I get to do what I do today. I grew up in upstate New York, moved to Michigan in my teens, and went to the Cleveland Institute of Music for college where I met my wife, Michelle (a violist). I also studied for a short time at the Paris Conservatory, the University of Illinois, and the University of North Texas.
After a few wonderful years in Dallas, Michelle and I decided it was time for a change, but we didn’t know where we wanted to go. We took 5 months off to travel around the world – everyone thought we were crazy, but it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made! Around that same time, some friends of ours – Iryna Krechkovsky and Kevin Loucks – asked me to fill in for the cellist of their piano trio, Trio Céleste, for a few concerts. We ended up having a really great chemistry and saw a lot of potential for our group in Southern California, so Michelle and I moved to Orange in 2013.
Much of what I do musically here revolves around my Trio – we are Ensemble-in-Residence at UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts – although in the past few years I have been also branching out into other areas of the vibrant SoCal music scene.
Together with my Trio and Michelle, I help to lead Chamber Music | OC, a nonprofit organization that promotes chamber music through performance, education, and outreach. Today, my musical life is so dynamic and varied in ways that I couldn’t have even dreamed of when I was younger! I get to play chamber music constantly with my Trio and with many fantastic musicians in the LA area (like the Salastina Music Society), work behind the scenes (and on the performance stage) with Chamber Music|OC, and also record for motion picture soundtracks.
Studio work has been particularly thrilling recently because I have gotten to play for several composers who wrote the music to some of my favorite childhood movies! The musicians are all the best in the business, so it’s a very satisfying experience. I feel very grateful that playing cello has taken me all over the world, been the reason for countless amazing collaborations, and continues to open up new opportunities every day.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A career in classical music comes with a lot of highs and lows. Even though I played cello from a very young age, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be a musician professionally until I started applying to college. I doubt there is anyone in the profession (or any profession, for that matter) that doesn’t question their career choice. I’ve often heard that you shouldn’t consider a career in classical music unless you can’t imagine doing anything else with your life. There are definitely times I’ve felt like that, but I don’t think that means I couldn’t have had a different career path.
One thing that I think is very unique about playing an instrument, is that it’s so personal. It’s almost like having a second voice. The sounds and expressions that come out of your instrument are a direct reflection of what you are feeling and thinking. Your personality is on display for the audience to see. To me, that’s one reason why the highs are so high and the lows can be so low.
There’s nothing like the feeling that your playing has had an impact in some way because it means that your unique voice was responsible for that impact. At the same time, musicians tend to take criticisms or rejections based on their playing very personally, for the same reason. One part of maturing as a musician is being able to just focus on improving your skill at your instrument and enjoying the journey.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
One great part of being in a piano trio, and part of a nonprofit organization, is that it has forced me to develop and hone some non-musical skills. I built and manage our websites, create our marketing materials, produce promotional videos, and more. Because it’s just a few of us managing everything, we all of have very multi-dimensional roles and enjoy each having a hand in everything that goes on.
Because of that, we have the flexibility to constantly try new projects and shape our vision in whatever ways we think will have the greatest impact on our community. For example, we’re in the middle of hosting our first International New Music Competition and are about to start a Pre-College with our highly successful Young Artist Program as the foundation.
In everything I do musically – in Trio, Chamber Music | OC, and studio work – everyone holds each other to the highest possible standards. I love going to work every day knowing that the people around me expect the best from each other.
What were you like growing up?
I had a great childhood with a very loving and supportive family. Even though I was often focused on music, I had a lot of other interests that I pursued. For a while, I planned on going into telecommunications because I had gotten so involved in my middle- and high-school TV studios. I was really into archery and tennis. My brother Leigh and I were always very close, and although he’s an ER Doctor professionally, he is also an extremely talented pianist. We played duets together for as long as I can remember.
Like most people, I went through various phases of being reserved, and obnoxious. I think I settled somewhere in between, but more on the reserved side. Now that I have my own child (we have a 2 1/2-year-old girl), it’s fun to reflect back on the things I thought I was getting away with in my younger days.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trioceleste.com, www.chambermusicoc.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/trioceleste, www.instagram.com/chambermusicoc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/trioceleste, www.facebook.com/chambermusicoc
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/trioceleste, www.twitter.com/chambermusicoc
Image Credit:
Jeff Antenore
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