Andrew Laven was appointed Assistant Principal Cellist of the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2019. He received his Master’s degree from Rice University under Desmond Hoebig and Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music under Steven Doane. An interest in historical performance led Andrew to study baroque cello with Phoebe Carrai and in 2021 he was a finalist at the Lillian and Maurice Barbash J.S. Bach Competition. An enthusiast for chamber music, Andrew has collaborated with Ying Quartet first violinist Robin Scott, violist Roberto Diaz, and pianist Jon Kimura Parker. Other festivals include the Grand Teton Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Karl Flesch Akademie, Avaloch Farm Music Institute, and Spoleto Festival USA.