K. V. Mahabala Sharma (sitar), Egil Rostad (cello), Matthew Wagner (dancer). Alvin Ailey Theater in NYC. © Ira Landgarten
Egil Rostad is a native New Yorker of Japanese-Norwegian descent. He is a masterful and accomplished cellist as well as a knowledgable and highly-effective educator. Praised as “vibrant” by the New York Times, Egil has performed nationally and internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral principal cellist. He has performed at a variety of venues, including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, MOMA, Guggenheim, Town Hall, Joyce Theater, the Knitting Factory, and Joe’s Pub. In addition to his commitment to classical music, he is also passionately on the creative frontline of music. He has collaborated with a variety of ensembles including African percussion, Hindustani classical, gospel, rock, and innocent music electronica.
Exploring the relationship between movement and music has led Egil to unique music opportunities. He performed onstage in Martha Clarke’s acclaimed dance-theater masterwork “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” which made the New York Times “Year’s Top Ten.” Egil also had the wonderful opportunity to perform the Bach Solo Suites with Alvin Ailey II Dance Company, as well as many other wonderful choreographers such as Pam Tanowitz, Janaki Patrik, and Satchiyo Ito. His performances have appeared on numerous recordings by labels such as EMI, Ajna Records, Compass Records, and Vitamin Records. Through PBS, Egil has appeared in nationally televised broadcasts. Egil studied at Oberlin Conservatory as well as Eastman School of Music, where he received his BM in cello performance.
In addition to performing, Egil has also composed music for several dance and film productions in New York City. One award winning short film, “Any Creature,” helped launch grammy-nominated director Patrick Daughters and cinematographer Shawn Kim‘s careers. Egil worked at Tomandandy, a commercial music scoring house, after having sharpened his skills in music composition at the electronic workstation at Eastman and around the TIMARA program at Oberlin.
As a cello and strings teacher, Egil has had twenty years of teaching experience, beginning with teaching college students at Oberlin Conservatory. Egil is on the teaching faculty of The School for Strings and The British International School of New York. In addition to teaching private students, Egil coaches chamber music. Teaching has been an integral part of Egil’s music journey. He believes that music is a fundamental language that brings individuals of various cultures and backgrounds together–that each person possesses a unique musicality and artistic perspective. He enjoys the process of discovering music with every new student.
Egil has also been a yoga asana, pranayama, and meditation teacher for almost twenty years and incorporates elements from his extensive study into the music realm where appropriate.
Egil enjoys international travel, reading, cooking, woodworking, and nature.