An exciting cellist exploring various facets of the classical music scene, Michael Kaufman was the soloist for the opening of the renovated Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater and has performed at prestigious venues such as Zankel Hall and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concerto performances and chamber music engagements have taken him across the United States and Western Europe to festivals such as Open Chamber Music at Prussia Cove, Yellow Barn, Music@Menlo and the Verbier Festival, Switzerland. Founder and artistic director of Sunset ChamberFest and founding member of the cello quintet Sakura, Kaufman champions eclectic juxtapositions of music from the classical and contemporary canon and is an advocate for guiding and cultivating future generations of composers. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Eastman studying with Steven Doane, and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California under the mentorship and guidance of Ralph Kirshbaum. Michael is a member of the Los Angeles Opera orchestra and is on the faculty of Loyola Marymount University and Colburn Community School of Performing Arts.