Anna Fritz Inspires Fusion Of Cello With Rock, Says Portland Cello School Founder

Anna Fritz's fusion of classical music and the cello with indie rock will inspire more music students to be innovative, according to Brian Eliason, founder of Eliason School of Music.

Eliason School of Music is located at SW Multnomah Blvd in Portland, OR.

"Portland has a rich independent music scene and children who play classical instruments like the cello and violin can find avenues to explore their musical artistry," said Eliason

Fritz's classical music training on the cello began at 6 and she continued that path academically through her college years at University of Wisconsin in Madison. But she also immersed herself in folk and rock 'n' roll in her free time.

"I didn't know how to reconcile the music that I was playing, with the music that I was listening to," says Fritz. "I love classical music, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to participate in the music of social movements."

When she moved to Portland, Ore. just over a decade ago, she found herself quickly aligned with the city's independent music scene. Fritz's experiments with the cello began in earnest when she co-formed the Portland Cello Project in 2007, and her credits include playing on albums by the Decemberists, My Morning Jacket and others.

"I have learned over the years to use the cello in a lot of different ways," says Fritz. "It's kind of a duet between my voice and the cello's voice."

Rather than rely on electronic backings or looped rhythms, Fritz has stripped her live show to one cello, one voice. She says she connects to her audiences with her eclectic style and songs that are intended for sing-alongs.

Now Fritz is an accomplished ensemble player, sought-after studio musician and a celebrated solo performer.