Vancouver Symphony appoints 21-year-old principal cellist

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, in British Columbia, Canada has announced the appointment of 21-year-old American cellist Henry Shapard as its new Principal Cello. He is the youngest principal cellist of a major orchestra.

Shapard, who studied with Ole Akahoshi at Yale University, has previously served as Principal Cellist and Assistant Conductor of the Yale Symphony.

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Although the ensemble is currently not performing due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Shapard’s appointment is effective immediately; he will assist with digital projects.

’There’s a musical instinctiveness in Henry’s playing, which is breathtaking because every time he plays, it sounds like he’s playing it for the first time — there’s that wonderful spontaneity,’ Yale Symphony Conductor William Boughton has said.