Daniel Schultz, cello

Daniel Schultz is a Finnish cellist based in London. He is currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma at the Royal Academy of Music with the Alfredo Piatti Chair of Cello, Josephine Knight. He previously completed both a Master of Arts with distinction and a Professional Diploma at the Academy, where he was awarded the Principal’s Prize for exceptional all-round studentship by Principal Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, as well as the Sir John Barbirolli Prize. Daniel is a recipient of the Academy’s prestigious Bicentenary Scholarship, awarded in support of his Advanced Diploma studies.

Before moving to London, Daniel completed his Bachelor of Music at the Sibelius Academy, where he studied with Professor Martti Rousi. Throughout his musical development he has also benefited from the guidance of distinguished artists including Gautier Capuçon and Steven Isserlis, participating in masterclasses at Wigmore Hall and through the BBC Arts in Motion programme streamed on BBC one. 

Daniel has established himself as one of Finland’s promising young cellists through successes in national and international competitions. He was awarded Third Prize at the 2022 Turku Cello Competition and has received recognition from several leading organisations supporting emerging musicians. He is a Tillett Trust Debut Artist, a String Scholar of the Drake Calleja Trust, and a Recital Scheme Artist with the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, all of which provide significant performance opportunities and support for outstanding young performers.

As a soloist, Daniel has appeared with several orchestras, including the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, the Wegelius Chamber Orchestra, Bulvardens Chamber Orchestra, and most recently the Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra. His performances have taken him to venues across Finland and the United Kingdom, and he continues to enjoy combining concerto appearances with an active recital schedule.

An equally passionate chamber musician, Daniel is a founding member of the award-winning Karelia String Quartet. Since its formation, the quartet has won First Prize in both the Wolfe Wolfinsohn String Quartet Competition and the Nina Drucker Haydn String Quartet Competition, and is currently represented as both Kirckman Concert Society Artists and MERITA Platform artists. The ensemble has performed at many of the United Kingdom’s leading concert venues and continues to develop an increasingly international concert schedule.

Alongside his quartet work, Daniel performs regularly with the Lisson Piano Trio, presenting recital programmes throughout London and further developing his passion for collaborative music-making.

Daniel performs on a fine 1752 Giovanni Battista Gabrielli cello, generously on loan from the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland. Through both his solo and chamber music activities, he is committed to exploring the breadth of the cello repertoire while sharing classical music with the widest possible audience.