New York Philharmonic Appoints New Associate Principal Cello

Canadian cellist Matthew Christakos will step into the role

Cellist Matthew Christakos has recently been appointed as the new Associate Principal Cello of the New York Philharmonic, stepping into the role in January 2024.

Hailing originally from Toronto, Christakos studied with Peter Wiley and Gary Hoffman at the Curtis Institute of Music. During his studies, Christakos served as principal cello of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.

He has received a number of honors and distinctions within Canada, including the 2019 Canada Council for the Arts’s Michael Measures Prize, second prize in the Canadian Music Competition’s 2019 Stepping Stone, and first prize in the 2017 Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival President’s Trophy Competition.

In addition, Christakos was named on CBC Music's "30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30" list for 2019.

Christakos completed his early studies in Toronto, at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists. During this time, he was the winner of the concerto competition and was a featured soloist with the Academy Chamber Orchestra.

He has also appeared as a soloist with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, during the ensemble's 2019 tour of Canada and Spain.

"We are so excited to keep adding fresh faces to our roster this season!" the orchestra wrote on social media. "Please join us in formally welcoming [this] fabulous musicians to the Philharmonic."