Artist Background

Born in Israel, Atlanta-based cellist Roy (Roee) Harran began playing cello at age seven with Dr. David Sella and later with Prof. Uzi Wiesel. Roy is the son of the late Prof. Don Harrán, world-renowned musicologist, and Aya, a retired music therapist, whose encouragement and guidance helped shape his musical path.

Following three years of military service as Outstanding Musician—during which he performed with the Israel Defense Forces String Quartet—Roy earned his B.Mus. magna cum laude from the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University. He received his M.Mus. at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Paul Katz and Steven Doane.

An active soloist and chamber musician, Roy has been a member of the Rochester Piano Quartet and the Avanti Trio, and has collaborated with ensembles including the Vanbrugh Quartet. His festival appearances include the Tanglewood Music Festival, Manchester Music Festival, Pacific Music Festival, Fringe Atlanta, Highlands-Cashiers Music Festival, and Wintergreen Music Festival.

Roy has played solo recitals and appeared as a soloist throughout Israel, Europe, the U.S. and Canada. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Orchestre Mondial des Jeunesses Musicales and the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée, where he served as principal cellist.

After several years as principal cellist in the New World Symphony, Roy became a member of the Savannah Symphony before joining the faculty of Radford University and the Renaissance Music Academy in Va.

Now based in Atlanta, Roy is an in-demand freelance cellist and teacher. He performs regularly with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet. He has been a faculty member at Agnes Scott College and currently serves on the Emory University faculty as a cello instructor and Artist Affiliate, teaching both music majors and non-majors. He is also the founder and artistic director of The Temple Chamber Players, which received highly favorable reviews as its artistic director during its inaugural 2023-24 season.

Roy lives in Decatur, Georgia, with his wife, Kelli, and their daughter. He teaches private cello lessons to students of all ages and levels and performs on a Garimberti cello.