Kari Ravnan (cello) was born in Nebraska, studied at the Juilliard School, graduating from the Eastman School of Music with Performer’s Certificate. She later studied with Pierre Fournier in Geneva, William Pleeth in London and Sandor Vegh in Salzburg. In addition to many recital tours with her father, pianist Audun Ravnan, of the Mid-West, USA, and solo recitals in Washington, D. C. and at the Bergen International Festival, she has appeared as soloist with several European and American orchestras, including the Aspen Philharmonia, Aldeburgh Festival Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. She was chosen the winner of the 1985 Washington International Competition in Cello and made her solo debut in Washington, D. C. As a passionate chamber musician, Kari has been a member of the Zennor String Trio and Prometheus Ensemble in London and Borealis Ensemble in Oslo. Her many festival appearances include Marlboro Music, Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society, Open Chamber Music at Prussia Cove, Leicester International Music Festival and Oslo Chamber Music Festival. Ravnan is the founder and artistic director of the Horten Chamber Music Festival. Kari has been teaching at the “Talent Program” at the Barratt Due Institute of Music since 2008 and has a special interest in teaching chamber music. Her students have won many competitions, including “Musician of the Year” of the Norwegian Music Competition for Youth, “Æresprisen” of the Sparre Olsen Competition and first prize of the Lincoln Chamber Music Youth Competition in the USA. Kari Ravnan has been the principal cellist of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Norwegian Opera Orchestra and is presently a member of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra