Cello
John Keane
Principal Cello • Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra
John’s deep, resonant cello leads the section with emotional gravity — the voice the orchestra turns to in its most lyrical moments.
Full Biography
John Keane is a professional cellist based in Richmond, Virginia. He serves as Principal Cello with the Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra and earned positions with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra through blind auditions. He has performed with the Roanoke Symphony for four years and the Lynchburg Symphony for one year, appearing in approximately 20 concerts annually across the three orchestras.
Alongside his orchestral work, John performs regularly at weddings and special events with a variety of ensembles. He is also the founder and owner of Cellofirst, a classical string ensemble specializing in music for weddings and events.
John earned his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Shenandoah University, completing the four-year degree in three years, where he studied with renowned cellist Julian Schwarz. He later earned his Master of Music from the University of Maryland, studying with Dr. Eric Kutz. During his two-year master’s program, John performed six recitals featuring advanced solo repertoire, including his own cello arrangement of Giuseppe Tartini’s Devil’s Trill Sonata and a transcription of Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major that he transcribed by ear from a recording by cellist János Starker.