Ben

Cellist J. Benjamin Rodriguez is devoted to sharing the rich diversity of the music around us. His versatility spans jazz, classical, and world traditions. He has been recognized with an outstanding soloist award from Jazz at Lincoln Center on double bass, performed as a cellist in Oberlin Orchestra in Carnegie Hall, and transcribes and performs on bonang panerus with Houston’s one-of-a-kind traditional and contemporary ensemble, Gamelan of the New Moon.

A fellow of Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival and a Teaching Artist for nonprofit Documentary Songwriting, Rodriguez thrives on close collaboration with other performers, composers and artists, and is committed to sharing stories and perspectives that deserve a voice. He completed his Documentary Songwriting Teaching Artist training in 2022 and has since collaborated as a composer and singer in Choir Without Borders. Currently pursuing his masters in cello performance at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University with Norman Fischer, Rodriguez continues to grow and share his expertise with students and audiences within the Houston community.