Background

Dr. Michael Tavani, the second oldest of six brothers, began studying cello at the age of six. His broad musical interests have led him to perform across the United States and on four continents, including concerts at venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Ryman Auditorium. Dr. Tavani’s dissertation “Glass, Theofanidis, Bryant: Solo Works for Violoncello” includes first-ever cello recordings of Flow, My Tears by Christopher Theofanidis and two pieces by Alexandra T Bryant: Letters to Home and 6267 Little Riverdam Road.

Dr. Tavani holds degrees from The University of Alabama, Cleveland State University, and Vanguard University of Southern California. He releases his own music as a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter under the moniker Jarus, is a co-founder of the Immensity Records label with his brother Daniel Tavani, and enjoys working as a performer, producer, and recording artist in the Pacific Northwest.

Hobbies

Hiking, Climbing, Tabletop Games, Coffee

Interests

Literature (especially high fantasy, science fiction, and literary fiction), avant-garde and experimental new music, progressive bluegrass, folk and indie music. 

Recommended Reading/Listening

Angelo de Augustine, Isaac Asimov, Balmorhea, Bela Bartok, Luciano Berio, Bon Iver, The Brilliance, Susanna Clarke, Davy, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Rushad Eggleston, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Hillbilly Thomists, Robert Jordan, C.S. Lewis, mewithoutYou, Punch Brothers, Radiohead, Kaija Saariaho, Abel Selaocoe, Sheldon Vanauken, Son Lux, Neal Stephenson, Sufjan Stevens, Chris Thile, J.R.R. Tolkien