Winner of the “Prize of Hope” at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, American Cellist Deanna Talens has quickly become one of the promising artists of her generation, performing in some of the world’s most illustrious venues and collaborating with its leading artists. In addition to her numerous awards, she recently earned the Grand Prize at the ASTA National Solo Competition in 2009. A student of David Geringas at the “Hanns Eisler” Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, Talens received top honors upon graduation and has since continued to garner high praise for her burgeoning artistry.

As a soloist, Deanna won the gold medal at the Stulberg International String Competition. Her numerous awards include First Prize at the Kingsville International Concerto Competition, Grand prize at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, First Place at the Walgreens Concerto Competition in Chicago for two consecutive years, and First Place at the National MTNA Strings Competition. She was a finalist at the Johansen International String Competition, a semi-finalist at the Adams Cello and UNISA International String Competitions, and receivedthe Shar Music Award for highest artistry and most promising career. Deanna also placed third at the Witold Lutowslawski International Cello Competition in Warsaw.

An avid chamber musician, Deanna has worked with artists such as Isaac Stern, Emanuel Ax, Frans Helmerson, Thomas Quasthoff, and the Emerson, Juilliard, and Guarneri String Quartets. She was one of the select musicians to participate in the final Isaac Stern Chamber Workshop at Carnegie Hall. Committed to advancing the musical tradition, she has collaborated with composers Kaija Saariaho, Franghiz Ali-Sade, and Sofia Gubaidulina. In 2008, Deanna was a featured artist at the Kennedy Center’s Conservatory Project Series, a platform for the nation’s most talented young artists. She was a soloist with National Public Radio’s From the Top, working closely with pianist Christopher O’Reilly in three separate performances with the radio program.

Deanna has also performed at Jordan Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, and the Philharmonie and Konzerthaus in Berlin. Her orchestral engagements include the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Fox Valley Symphony, the Victoria Symphony, the Hilton Head Orchestra, and the Franz Liszt Academy Orchestra. Deanna is a forthcoming featured soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.The beneficiary of the Eckstein Fund Award—a full cost scholarship for graduate study—Deanna holds a Certificate and Masters degree in cello performance from Northwestern University, where she studied with Hans Jørgen Jensen. A student of David Geringas, she received her music diploma from the “Hanns Eisler” Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, Germany.

Deanna plays a Carl Becker cello made in 1920.