Christopher Gilley began his musical journey at age four on the piano, studying under his mother, pianist Ariel Gilley. After seven years, he decided to begin learning the cello and quickly fell in love with the instrument. Gilley joined the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO) in 2019, where he played for four years, serving as principal cellist for two. In 2022, he won the RSYO Concerto Competition and had the opportunity to perform Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with orchestra later that year. Gilley is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Performance and studying with Julian Schwarz at Shenandoah Conservatory.

As one of the winners of Shenandoah Conservatory’s 2025/26 Student Soloists Competition, Christopher Gilley earned the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist this season. Open to undergraduate and graduate performers, the competition provides an invaluable opportunity for students to showcase their talent before a panel of distinguished faculty and guest adjudicators. Winners earn the honor of performing as featured soloists with the Symphony Orchestra, highlighting the conservatory’s vibrant community of emerging artists and its commitment to fostering professional-level performance experiences.