“Cellists are a unique bunch, with a shared love for sound, expression, and friendship in music making."

It is the mission of the TEXAS CELLOS FOUNDATION to advance cello playing throughout the world. Texas Cellos, Texas Cello School, Texas Cello Grand Prix International Competition, MUSIC@MILL Festival, and Metamorphosis Dallas Chamber Orchestra embody an enduring commitment to artistic excellence and the discovery and cultivation of young talent.

What is your organization's vision?

Texas Cellos was created in the fall of 2020 from a genuine hunger for in-person music making. We wanted to create a musical outlet to push back against the general apathy growing among colleagues and students and decided to found a cello choir to share the beauty of the- CELLO!

Born from a true need for live socially distanced concerts in April of 2021 the Texas Cellos took the $11,000 tuition from 33 cello students and founded MUSIC@MILL Festival: ‘Music that gives you a heartbeat in an old industrial space’.

Since then MUSIC@MILL Festival has presented four festivals showcasing genre defying artists including jazz artists Scott and Toni Tixier, the Miro and Escher String Quartets, and the Texas Cellos performing Beatles, Radiohead and Metallica to sold out audiences selling nearly 5000 tickets in 16 concerts.

In line with our mission to advance music and cello playing throughout the world, in 2021 Texas Cellos Foundation founded an educational institute, Texas Cello School, 'A self-sufficient school welcoming musicians to come and focus, create and grow'. Now in its fourth season the institute draws students and internationally acclaimed faculty from across the world to McKinney, TX to share a time of learning and musical discovery where professionals and students perform side by side.

Our newest venture is a conductor-less chamber orchestra. on July 9, 2023 Texas Cellos debuted Metamorphosis Dallas Chamber Orchestra as the opening concert for Basically Beethoven festival in Moody Performance Hall. 

"Impressive new chamber orchestra opens Basically Beethoven Festival. Metamorphosis Dallas Chamber Orchestra.. excellent!"

-Scott Cantrell, DALLAS MORNING NEWS.

The chamber orchestra is democratic, with rotating principal players. Members of the chamber orchestra are musicians from the leading Dallas, and Ft Worth orchestras, respected chamber musicians and international prize winners.

Our GALA2024 guest artist will be acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis with Metamorphosis Dallas Chamber Orchestra.

April 10, 2024 7:30 pm

Winspear Opera House, Dallas, TX

Acclaimed worldwide for his profound musicianship and technical mastery, BBritish cellist Steven Isserlis enjoys a unique and distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, author and broadcaster.