South African cellist, Jacques-Pierre Malan is taking the classical music world by storm with his unparalleled performances, innovative projects, and uncompromising dedication to energizing and uplifting both audiences and musicians alike. His initiatives have landed him on stages across the world from Africa to Europe to the USA. He is currently based in Baltimore Maryland, allowing him access to America’s greatest musicians and performing opportunities. Serving as an ambassador for South African classical musicians within the USA, Malan works tirelessly as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician, as well as a dedicated teacher and program coordinator.
As a performer, Malan’s career was launched through winning top competition prizes and scholarships including Yale Gordan String Competition, SAMRO Bursary Competition, Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival Competition, Getting To Carnegie Hall amongst several others. As a soloist, Jacques-Pierre has performed cello concertos with Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic, Johannesburg Philharmonic, Capetown Philharmonic, Peabody Conductors Orchestra. His impeccable technique, endless energy, and unifying personality has allowed him to perform chamber music with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Jonathan Carney as well as numerous faculties from Juilliard School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and the Curtis Institute.
In 2016, after completing his Master degree at Peabody Conservatory with Israeli cellist Amit Peled, Malan was invited to continue his contributions to the music world in America on an O1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability in the Arts which was sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Encounters Inc. and Friends of Chamber Music Concert Series. In less than two years, he founded the Baltimore String Quartets and Trios, a business that pairs upscale event planners with elite musicians, and Creative Concert Group, which produces visionary concert programs never been done before, including the Dvorak Cello Concerto performed with String Quartet, which Mr. Malan premiered in Washington DC. Mr. Malan’s work performing at the South African Embassy has led him to working as Artistic Program Coordinator for the Embassy Series, which, through putting on performances at embassies from all over the world, aims to unite people through musical diplomacy.
Mr. Malan comes home to South Africa every midyear to perform and visit his family. This year’s performances include the Haydn C Major in his home town Bloemfontein with the Free State Symphony Orchestra followed by recitals in Capetown of works by Bach, Schubert and Brahms.