Jeremy Harman

Associate Professor

Affiliated Departments

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Cellist, composer, and songwriter Jeremy Harman is always exploring shifting musical terrain; equally at home on acoustic and electric instruments, his distinct sound and approach stems from a broad-based love of music and a desire to explore it through the lens of the cello. With influences including contemporary classical, modern jazz, progressive metal, downtempo, free improvisation, and folk music of all kinds, his musical path has taken him across the globe and to venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Kodak Center to the House of Blues to the Newport Jazz Festival.

Harman is the cellist for the Sirius Quartet, which has brought its original compositions and unique sound to audiences throughout the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and South Africa, and appears frequently with instrumental chamber music/indie rock alchemists CORDIS. In 2020, Harman was named artistic director of the New Directions Cello Festival, which has showcased alternative cellists from all over the world for almost 30 years.

Harman has shared the stage with a wide range of artists including Quincy Jones, John Williams, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Bobby McFerrin, Lady Gaga, Sir Elton John, Tony Bennett, and Mary J. Blige, among others, and has done session and arranging work for countless indie artists in New England and beyond. A passionate educator, Harman is an associate professor of cello at Berklee College of Music and the creator of the online course Creative Expansion for Cellists.

Courses Taught (3)

Sound Reinforcement Techniques for Strings

ILST-240

Private Instruction - String: All Levels

PIST-XXX

Recital Preparation: String - All Levels

RPST-XXX

Career Highlights

Cellist, Sirius Quartet
Artistic Director, New Directions Cello Festival
International performing career including appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kodak Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, House of Blues Boston, Radio City Music Hall, and the Newport Jazz Festival, among others
Performances alongside Quincy Jones, John Williams, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Bobby McFerrin, Lady Gaga, Sir Elton John, Tony Bennett, Pinchas Zuckerman, DeVotchKa, Bright Eyes, Placido Domingo, Debbie Harry, Marc Ribot, and more
Creator of Creative Expansion for Cellists, an online course designed to help cellists develop their creative and improvisatory skills

In Their Own Words

"Each student brings a unique collection of life experiences and musical interests into their lessons. I want my students to be able to dive deep into their own musical and creative curiosities, but also to understand the value of gaining competence with styles, techniques and ways of playing that exist outside of them. To realize one's own individual artistic voice, to respect the craft of mastering an instrument, and to strive to play at the highest possible level in any musical context or professional setting are all primary goals with each of my students."

"Having worked for almost my entire adult life as a self-employed professional musician, I've learned that versatility and flexibility are key. This means having a broad musical skill set that allows you to play (and to work) in many different settings, and an openness and willingness to take any opportunity that comes your way. If we have these things, then our likelihood of both success and satisfaction with our music and our work becomes much higher."