Joshua Roman is a celebrated cello soloist and composer, hailed for his “effortlessly expressive tone” (The New York Times) and “extraordinary technical and musical gifts” (The San Francisco Chronicle). Known for his genre-bending programs and wide-ranging collaborations, Roman brings a contagious enthusiasm for both the classics and new musical horizons.

He has performed with major orchestras across the globe, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony, Toronto Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, and Mariinsky Orchestra, and was principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony at just 22. His collaborations span artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, DJ Spooky, Bill T. Jones, Somi, and Anna Deavere Smith.

Roman is also recognized as a cultural innovator. He opened the 2017 TED Conference, and his performance of Bach’s Solo Cello Suites after the 2016 U.S. presidential election became the most-viewed event in TED’s social history. His solo performance with the YouTube Symphony at Carnegie Hall reached 33 million viewers worldwide.

In 2024–25, Roman launched Immunity, a deeply personal project exploring his journey with Long COVID through music by Bach, Crumb, Caroline Shaw, and his own compositions. The program, recorded for Bright Shiny Things, tours nationwide, including performances in Long COVID clinics to foster healing and awareness. Additional highlights include a national trio tour with violinist Tessa Lark and bassist Edgar Meyer, the world premiere of James Lee III’s Cello Concerto with the Baltimore Symphony, well-being concerts with Carnegie Hall, a Stanford residency, and concerto appearances with the Pacific Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, and Asheville Symphony.

As a composer, Roman has been commissioned by Music Academy of the West, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, and others, and has premiered works by leading contemporary voices including Mason Bates, Reena Esmail, and Gabriela Lena Frank.

A native of Oklahoma City, Roman studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Richard Aaron and Desmond Hoebig. He performs on an 1830 Pressenda cello on generous loan from The Stradivari Society.