Guest Artist Masterclass: Dr. John Popham
Biography:
John Popham is a Seattle-based cellist, chamber musician, and educator, and serves as Assistant Professor of Cello and Strings Chamber Music Coordinator at the University of Washington. His work centers on the corporeality of string performance and spans classical, historical, and experimental practices. Praised for his “brilliant,” “virtuosic,” and “velvet” sound, his performances appear on labels including Tzadik, Carrier, New Focus, Kairos, and Albany.
A founding member of the acclaimed trio Longleash, Popham has performed internationally at major venues and festivals and appears with ensembles such as Klangforum Wien, Talea, and the International Contemporary Ensemble. An advocate for inclusive pedagogy, he previously taught for Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program and has given masterclasses across the U.S. and Europe. Originally from Louisville, he holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and the CUNY Graduate Center, completed a Fulbright research residency in Vienna, and has received awards from New Music USA, Chamber Music America, and the Music Academy of the West.
