About

Philadelphia-based musician Cyrano Jett Rosentrater (b. 2007) is one of the most authentic, versatile and decorated young artists in American classical music today. He has been internationally acclaimed by NPR, The Strad, Sphinx Organization, YoungArts, Equity Arc, ASCAP, JW Pepper, and the International Society for Music Education for his extraordinary depth, and breadth as a composer, instrumentalist and cultural voice. 

Lauded as an “unforgettable,” “commanding,” and “electrifying” performer [Sphinx Competition], and “playing brilliantly with something to say" (Peter Zazofsky), Cyrano has concertized as a soloist and orchestral concertmaster at prestigious venues across the United States, including Marian Anderson Hall, the Chicago, Nashville, and Detroit Symphony Centers, the Mann Center, Field Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, and Morse Hall at The Juilliard School. His compositions have been described as “full of color, humour, wit, and pizzazz” (Ketty Nez), “elegant, exciting, and expressive” (Sky Macklay), and “gorgeous and meaningful” (Wynn-Anne Rossi), reflecting a voice that is both vibrant and emotionally resonant. Most recently, he has been commissioned to compose for the Kennedy Center, National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, and the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra. He has appeared on NPR's From the Top (show 460), WRTI 90.1 FM, Carnegie Hall Spotlight, and serves as an ambassador for the Harmony for Peace organization.

As a critically acclaimed performer and composer, Cyrano's most recent honors include the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, a National YoungArts Award in Classical Music/Violin, semifinalism in the Sphinx Competition, inaugural membership of the Philadelphia All-City Ballet Composers' Fellowship, concertmaster of the National Pathways Festival Orchestra, and a National Young Composers' Challenge winner. He has performed in masterclasses for Hilary Hahn, David Kim, Sheryl Staples, Curtis Stewart, James M. Stephenson, Jessie Montgomery, Danielle Belen, Melissa White, Thomas Whitman and Dara Morales. He has performed on stage with Itzhak Perlman in Marian Anderson Hall, and concertizes with the DePue Brothers Band on their "Christmas Grassical" bluegrass tours. His works have been performed by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Festival Orchestra, Philadelphia International Music Festival Orchestra.

Cyrano’s musical foundation was nurtured by devoted public school educators and refined through years of study with wonderful private teachers - each step guided by determination and authenticity. Cyrano is a proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship at the Juilliard School. His composition teachers include John Corigliano, Thomas Weaver, Dr. Martin Amlin, Dr. Justin Casinghino, Dr. Thomas Whitman, and Dr. Ariane Alexander. His violin teachers include Kimberly Fisher and Scott Wagner.

Cyrano is a proud recipient of support from The Juilliard School, Sphinx Organization, Primavera Fund, NPR/From the Top, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Marian Anderson Grant, Bruce Montgomery Foundation, Harmony for Peace, Equity Arc, Play On, Philly!, Project 440, and the Philadelphia Musicians' Alliance for Youth.

He has attended summer music programs such as Boston University Tanglewood Institute, NYO-USA, Sphinx Performance Academy at Juilliard and Curtis, Interlochen, Juilliard Summer Strings, Philadelphia International Music Festival, and Kinhaven Music School.