Cellist Beth Vanderborgh enjoys a diverse career as chamber musician, soloist, and pedagogue, performing in multiple styles, from the Baroque to contemporary, earning critical acclaim: “Sparkling Technique,” (L’Est Republicain, France), “Wow! Great Stuff,” (The Washington Post).
As a Baroque cellist and viola da gambist, Vanderborgh has performed at the Smithsonian Institution, Schubert’s Cello Quintet in a historically informed performance with Kenneth Slowik at the UW Cello Festival, toured with Wyoming Baroque, performed at the Virginia Baroque Academy, played continuo for the Colorado Bach Ensemble, performed solo viola da gamba for Baroque in Barn with the Cheyenne Symphony, and has recorded Bach’s Solo Suite No. 1 on Baroque cello. Her mentors include Martha McGaughey (Mannes), Kenneth Slowick (Smithsonian Institution) and Ann Marie Morgan (formerly, Peabody). Vanderborgh’s Baroque cello is a lion-headed cello from 1750, made by an unknown maker, inherited with the name “Hello Kitty”.
Currently, Vanderborgh serves on the faculty of the University of Wyoming, as principal cellist of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, on the Artist-Faculty of the Eastern Music Festival, with the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra, as cellist in the Colorado Chamber Players, and as assistant principal cello of the Pro-Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra. She is a founding member of the acclaimed Stanislas Sextet, based in Nancy, France, and tours regularly the Helios Trio, who made their Carnegie Hall debut, to great acclaim, in 2022.
Vanderborgh has collaborated in chamber music performances with Lynn Harrell, Susan Graham, Frederica von Stade, Augustin Hadelich, Elmar Oliviera, Yura Lee, Nadia Solerno-Sonnenberg, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Jon Nakamatsu, Garrick Ohlsson, and Bela Davidovich.
Vanderborgh holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Maryland, where her teachers included David Geber, Evelyn Elsing, and David Soyer. She engaged in intensive chamber music studies with the Guarneri, Juilliard, Cleveland, and American String Quartets and Historical Performance studies with Kenneth Slowik and Louis Bagger.
When not playing the cello, Vanderborgh enjoys skiing, equestrian sports, and hiking in the beautiful Wyoming wilderness with her two Malinois (and husband). She was honored to represent the State of Wyoming in the 2019 National Senior Olympics, where she reached the podium earning 5th place in both the 20k and 40k women’s cycling road races.
“lyrical and technically accomplished… eloquent and persuasive.” (The Strad, London)
“Cellist Beth Vanderborgh, comparisons to Jacqueline du Pre´ aside, plays with the intensely focused sound of Anner Bylsma.” (The Charlotte Observer)
“.Impeccable musicianship, rhythmic precision, technical expertise and expansive, passionate musicianship. Gorgeous music, exquisitely performed, and I do not believe I have overdone the superlatives.” (Classical Voice of North Carolina)
“One cannot speak of this concerto (Brahms’ 2nd Piano Concerto) without mentioning the achingly beautiful cello solo that begins, and continues throughout the third movement. Principal cellist Beth Vanderborgh played this with beautiful tone and gorgeous phrasing that went straight to the heart and soul of everyone present.”
(Classical Voice of North Carolina)