SEBASTIAN BEROFSKY is a nineteen-year old cellist who began cello lessons at age six. He previously studied with University of Michigan professor Richard Aaron, and he has also studied with, and played in master classes given by Brandon Vamos, Amir Eldan, David Ying, Susan Moses, Steven Doane, and the Callisto Quartet. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Sebastian graduated from Huron High School, where he was principal cellist of the Huron Symphony Orchestra. He was also principal of the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Sebastian was the winner of the Michigan American String Teachers Association chamber music prize, Michigan Youth Arts Festival chamber music award, Rosalie Edwards young artist competition, Music Teachers National Association Senior String Division award (Michigan), and the Michigan Pops Orchestra and Huron High School concerto competitions. He has attended Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, the Indiana University Summer String Academy, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and Center Stage Strings Advanced Chamber Music Program. He was awarded the principal cello position of the Michigan All-State Middle School Orchestra in 2016 and 2017 and the Michigan All-State High School Orchestra in 2019 and 2020. 

In 2018 Sebastian performed the Mendelssohn A Major Viola Quintet with faculty members and peers after winning the summer chamber music competition at the IU Summer String Academy. Sebastian has been a guest artist with the Pressenda Chamber Players in Washington, D.C. on several occasions. With the Berofsky Piano Quartet, he has played on the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s chamber series, as well as the Chautauqua Chamber Music series, University of Delaware Master Players, and the Crystal Valley Concert series. He has played solo recitals at the University of Michigan School of Music, the Ann Arbor City Club, and Glacier Hills Senior Living Community. 

Sebastian is a scholarship second-year undergraduate student at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, where he studies with Professor Desmond Hoebig and coaches chamber music with Professor Norman Fischer.