Clara Cho, a South Korean cellist based in New York City, is deeply dedicated to a diverse range of classical and contemporary music. She first developed an interest in new music after her Carnegie Hall debut performing George Crumb’s Sonata for Solo Cello and has since collaborated closely with living composers including Reiko Füting, Susan Botti, Ashkan Behzadi, and Jeewon Kim to expand the contemporary repertoire. She was featured on Füting’s album [distant: violin. sound] as a member of Noise Catalogue and is the co-founder of Sixth Degree Sextet as well as a member of the COPE Collective. She also served as principal cellist of MusicON Chamber Orchestra, premiering works by over 50 emerging young composers.

Beyond classical and contemporary music, Clara integrates diverse art forms into her performances, collaborating with choreographers and artists in visual art and fashion. Notable projects include the world premiere of [THE RASA PROJECT] at National Sawdust and collaborations with New Chamber Ballet and Columbia Ballet Collaborative under Miro Magloire. Her solo improvisation was also featured in artist Youngsu Jo’s exhibition in South Korea, and she was a co-sound design creator for a collection exhibition of Jingu Jun’s New York City based fashion brand, The Last Garment.

Building on these experiences, Clara has worked extensively in jazz, performing with Latin Grammy-winning percussionist Samuel Torres, and recording and performing for Christian McGhee’s BMI Commission Album at Dizzy’s Club, collaborating with Jahari Stampley at Yamaha Studio, and participating in The Jazz Gallery’s 2024 Residency Commission performances led by Emmanuel Michael and Nicola Caminiti.

She also contributes behind the scenes as Orchestra Librarian at the New York Youth Symphony and as Precollege Orchestra Librarian/Performance Library Assistant Manager at Manhattan School of Music and has also served as an orchestra librarian for several performances with the American Composers Orchestra. Clara holds BM, MM, and Professional Studies degrees from Manhattan School of Music, studying with Julia Lichten and Philippe Muller.