Ithay Khen

Ithay Khen was born in Israel and took his first cello lessons with his father. From an early age, he won national and international competitions, receiving first prize in the International Cello Competition at the Rubin Academy in Tel Aviv and the second prize in the Clermont Cello Competition in Israel. He also received a cultural grant from the American-Israel Foundation.

He studied in Tel Aviv under Professor Uzi Wiesel, then moved to Berlin to study at the Music Academy of Berlin under Prof. Wolfgang Böttcher. He completed his concert exam with highest distinction from the Hans Eisler Music Academy in Berlin.

This talented musician has been recognized with a scholarship from the reknowned Karajan Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic, and has played with the conductors Claudio Abbado, Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim and Sir Simon Rattle.

In 1996/1997 Ithay Khen was the principal Cellist in the Royal Philharmonic in Antwerpen and later, again the principal Cellist in the Nürnberger Opera. Ithay Khen has performed as soloist in numerous other orchestras such as The Budapest Symphony, the Marienbader Festpiel Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Antwerpen, the Jugendfestspiel Orchestra in Bayreuth and the Israel Chamber Orchestra.