The silent room filled with music almost instantaneously as cellist Seth Parker Woods sat center stage, focused solely on his music. Seth Parker Woods is a renowned cellist, well known for his musical versatility and ability to perfect many genres. His master of the art of music and “willingness to go to the brink” as

The Guardian

put it, is what separates him from the rest of the pack. For Parker Woods, going to the brink means changing the way the audience views the cello, and redefining the way an artist uses the instrument. He uses visual and physical mediums to complement his music and give his audience a more immersive experience. Because his work is so abstract, Parker Woods finds it hard to find a singular label for what he does. His mission is to push the boundaries of the “classical cellist” to t a wider spectrum of sounds and senses, and finds the increasing number of sounds and performing styles in modern music to be very exciting.

Through his use of art forms such as choreography, electronic music and visual arts, Woods’ musical vision is more theatrical than any musician currently on the scene. While he was trained in classical music, he is making way for a new type of music that combines the classical with the contemporary. Interested in both the cello and dance at a young age, Parker Woods spent most of his adolescence figuring out ways to push the boundaries of his classical training. After graduating from Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and Julliard’s pre-professional program, he went on to study music in college, and later received a PhD from Huddersfield University in England. His thesis “Almost Human: the study of physical processes and the performance of a prosthetic spine,” compares the intention and movement of musicians and dancers to create new works for the cello, dancers, and electronics.

Since its release in November 2016, Parker Woods’ debut album

asinglewordisnotenough

has gained international acclaim. He has played alongside performers such as Peter Gabriel, Lady Gaga, Adele, and the New York City Ballet. He has also played venues as prestigious as the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. After performing in orchestras for years,

asinglewordisnotenough

marks the inception of his career as a solo artist. Since its debut, he has been touring the world and finding inspiration for new music.

His sound is unique and easily distinguishable, and he has secured his position in the artistic world as a performer who blends the classical and contemporary to form a new sound all his own. Parker Woods’ visit to Hamilton was well-received and listening to his music was a wonderful experience.