Nancy Ives
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Photo Credit: Rachel Hadiashar
Cello
Composer and Cellist Nancy Ives is a musical icon, having “built a career of such spectacular diversity that no summation will do her achievements justice.” (Artslandia) As "one of Oregon’s most prominent and accomplished classical musicians,” (The Oregonian) Ives offers both depth and approachability with enduring and eloquent music inspired by the natural world. “Modernistic but melodic and compelling... [with] a refreshing musical breadth,” her work communicates “a uniquely personal voice.” (Oregon ArtsWatch)
A relative of the legendary composer Charles Ives, she carries on the tradition of her namesake with modern relevance. Her music has featured in performances by Portland Chamber Orchestra, Fear No Music, Friends of Rain, Portland Cello Project, Siletz Bay Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival and OBF Composers Symposium as well as broadcasts on All Classical Portland and KBBI (Alaska). Ives’ projects involve working with indigenous communities to authentically capture, amplify, and relay their stories to wider audiences. Her recent multimedia orchestral work, Celilo Falls: We Were There, traces geologic and human history with “stunning, assiduously crafted, and mostly melodic music... a many-splendored artistic experience... universal in [its] artistic, social and political impact.” (Oregon ArtsWatch)
Ives is a gracious cornerstone of Portland musical life, “a local treasure,” according to the Portland Mercury. With more than 20 years as Principal Cellist of the Oregon Symphony, she’s also a member of the Palatine Piano Trio, Rose City Trio, and Fear No Music, has collaborated with all of the region’s premier performance organizations, and performed as soloist with the Oregon Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Portland Columbia Symphony, Clark College Orchestra, and Cascade Festival of Music. A regular performer on All Classical Portland, Ives was also the “Cellist in Residence” on OPB’s State of Wonder.
With a DMA from the Manhattan School of Music, Ives is an Instructor of Chamber Music at Lewis & Clark College and serves on the Board of Directors for All Classical Portland.
Biography by Aligned Artistry