Silver Ainomäe

Appointed principal cello of the Colorado Symphony in 2009, Silver Ainomäe performed throughout Europe before moving to Denver. Ainomäe, who began his cello studies in 1988 at Tallinn Music High School in Estonia, recently worked as a freelance musician throughout Europe including positions as guest-leader of the Helsinki Philharmonic in Finland and work with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. In 1992, at the age of 8, he moved from Estonia to Finland, where he pursued his musical training at Turku Conservatory with Jukka Perksalo and at the Sibelius Academy with Hannu Kiiski and Arto Noras. In 2006/07 he continued his studies in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Razumovsky Academy with Oleg Kogan. Awards that he has received at national and international competitions include second prize at the International Competition for Young Cellists, main prize and four special prizes at the contest festival “Con Brio 2000,” first prize in the string category at the “Verdi Note” competition in Rome, fifth prize at Isang Yun International Music Competition in South Korea, third prize at Witold Lutosławski International Cello Competition in Poland (2005) and sixth prize at Paulo International Competition in Finland (2007). Additionally he has given recitals and performed as a chamber musician on numerous occasions throughout Europe.