Shaun Diaz is a versatile cellist, performer, teacher and composer of contemporary music and music for film. He has studied extensively in composition, cello performance, improvisation and orchestral performance and holds a Bachelors of Music in cello performance from the University of Colorado. During four intense years of study in Colorado he had the opportunity to perform with the University of Colorado Symphony, the Aspen Music Festival Symphonia, the Henri Mancini Institute Jazz Orchestra at UCLA, the Hollywood Bowl with Diana Krall and the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Institute in Leavenworth, Washington. During this time he also performed with various string quartets and chamber groups varying in style from classical to jazz.

 

Shaun has studied with such notable teachers as the former principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony, Raymond Davis; professor of cello at Michigan State University, Anthony Elliott, as well as cellists Antony Cooke, John Michel, Judith Glyde, and David Tonkonogui. In addition, he has performed in master classes given by world class cellists Lynn Harrell, Janos Starker, and Bernard Greenhouse and the Takacs String Quartet. His knowledge of the cello is derived from a 2nd generation lineage of notable masters including Leonard Rose and Bernard Greenhouse.

 

Over the years he has contributed to various artists' music projects as co-producer, and recording artist. Notably he has served as a co-producer on nationally distributed albums produced by 7 time Emmy Award winning artist Tim Noah for Cherry Lane Music Publishing. He has also recorded with alumni of the Sundance Film Music Program and for the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program.

 

Shaun performs with local musicians and pianists covering a broad range of genres; everything from jazz, romantic, classical and popular styles to film music and original compositions. He can be found performing concerts as well as local and destination private events. During the summer he enjoys touring Seattle's best attended arts festivals where he shares his music and spends time conversing with the locals. Past appearances have included the Bellevue Arts Festival and Edmonds Arts Festival.