Riana Anthony
Riana Anthony is an acclaimed cellist whose artistry reflects her rich multicultural background. Born in Japan to a Chinese mother and an American father, she draws deeply from her heritage, which informs her distinctive musical perspective. Her journey with the cello began at the age of nine under her mother’s guidance, later continuing with the esteemed Japanese cellist and educator Sumiko Kurata. At the age of twelve, she moved to Hawaii, where she debuted as a soloist with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, performing concertos by Haydn and Dvořák.
Her exceptional talent earned her full scholarships to some of the United States’ most prestigious music institutions. A graduate of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, she studied under Hans Jørgen Jensen and Julie Albers. In 2017, she became an artist-in-residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, honing her artistry under the mentorship of Gary Hoffman and Jeroen Reuling. She also received a fellowship from the Belgian American Educational Foundation during her time in Europe.
A fusion of global influences defines her musical identity: the discipline of Chinese tradition, the elegance of Japanese refinement, the depth of European classical heritage, and the innovation of American music. International recognition came early in her career, with top honors in competitions such as the Izuminomori Cello Competition in Japan, the Hawaii Cello Competition, the MTNA Competition, the Viva Hall Cello Competition, the Samuel and Elinor Thaviu String Competition, and the Musician’s Club of Women Competition in Chicago. In 2022, she reached the semifinals of the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Belgium, where her performance of Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major with the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie received widespread praise for its technical brilliance and emotional depth.
Performing with renowned ensembles and conductors worldwide, Riana has brought her artistry to some of the most prestigious stages. A recent highlight was the European premiere of John Williams’ Highwood’s Ghost with the Brussels Philharmonic under Stéphane Denève, a piece originally premiered by Yo-Yo Ma in the U.S. Her interpretation garnered critical acclaim, with Klassik Begeistert calling it a “performance of musical mystery that created goosebumps.” In 2014, conductor Cao Peng invited her to perform Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B Minor with the Shanghai City Symphony Orchestra as part of the concert series The City, The Romanticism, and her debut at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center during the Future Masters Concert Series drew comparisons to Jacqueline du Pré for its emotional intensity and technical precision. Other notable solo appearances include her John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts debut in 2016, recital tours across China and Denmark, the live broadcast of the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts at the Chicago Cultural Center, and a multimedia performance at the Berlin Crescendo Festival, where the concert was complemented by live painting on stage. Riana was also a featured soloist at the Peninsula Music Festival, performing Kabalevsky’s Cello Concerto No. 2 under Maestro Victor Yampolsky. Her performances have also taken her to iconic venues such as Lincoln Center in New York, Le Domaine Forget de Charlevoix in Canada, the Royal Palace of Belgium, Flagey, Bozar, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels, Victoria Hall in Geneva, and prestigious Parisian venues including Salle Cortot, Auditorium du Louvre, and Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Beyond her solo career, chamber music plays a vital role in her musical life. She has been featured at the Rome Chamber Music Festival for four consecutive seasons and as a returning Newdome Fellowship Artist at the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. Winning first prize at the 2016 Dover Quartet Competition, her quartet’s performance of Lutosławski’s String Quartet was broadcast on WFMT’s Music in Chicago. Additionally, her piano trio received accolades at the Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Riana has also made appearances at the Keuka Lake Music Festival, Académie musicale de Villecroze, Domaine Forget, Seiji Ozawa International Academy, Waterloo Festival, Festival of Minimes, and Festival Tibor Varga in Sion, among others.
Through her multicultural heritage and extensive musical experiences, Riana has developed a singular, emotionally resonant style that captivates audiences worldwide. Celebrated for her technical brilliance, artistic maturity, and heartfelt expression, she continues to make her mark as one of the most exciting cellists of her generation. Since 2025, she has also been a founding member of the festival Les Songes Musicaux in eastern France, where she continues to inspire audiences and foster a love for classical music.