Ben Maxwell

What are your most important educational and musical moments?
My most important educational and musical moments happened during the summer that I spent at the Tanglewood Music Festival. Being in such a beautiful setting in the Berkshires and attending (and participating in) world-class performances almost every night was life-changing and will always be a source of inspiration for me throughout my musical journey.

Why did you choose music?
My father is a rock drummer, so I always grew up with music and rhythm filling the house, and it was ingrained in me from a young age. Music makes me feel emotions and sensations that I don’t get from anything else, and I feel incredibly lucky that I have been able to make a career out of doing what I love.

Why did you choose your instrument?
I chose the cello because I wanted to play in middle school orchestra, and I thought that the cello looked and sounded the coolest. I was hooked immediately.

What are you currently doing?
I live in Ann Arbor and I am the principal cellist of the Ann Arbor Symphony. I am also a member of the Detroit Opera Orchestra.

Tell us about your family.
My parents live in Durham, North Carolina, which is where I grew up. My dad is a retired rock drummer, and my mom is a budding amateur pianist with a vast love of classical music. My sister lives in DC, where she works for a law firm that specializes in climate law.

Any non-musical interests or hobbies?
I am a huge film buff, and I love running and hiking (depending on how hot it is).