American cellist Julie Albers began violin studies at the age of two with her mother, switching to cello at four. In high school, she pursued her studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Ms. Albers was awarded the Grand Prize at the XIII International Competition for Young Musicians in Douai, France, and toured France as soloist with Orchestre Symphonique de Douai. Julie Albers made her major orchestral debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1998, and has performed in recital and with orchestras throughout North America, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to solo performances, Ms. Albers regularly participates in chamber music festivals around the world. Ms. Albers was a member of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Two from 2006–09. She is currently active with the Albers String Trio and the Cortona Trio and was recently appointed as principal cellist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Julie Albers currently holds the Mary Jean and Charles Yates Cello Chair at the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. (cellistjuliealbers.com)