Maximus Gurath

Maximus Gurath is delighted to join the San Diego Symphony after winning the section cello audition in 2025. A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Maximus began cello lessons at the age of four. At 12, he won his first competition, leading to a solo performance with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He later earned top prizes, including first place in the Schubert Club Competition of Minneapolis, a gold medal at the Texas Young Artist Competition, and he was featured on national broadcasts such as Classical MPR and NPR.

In 2024 Maximus performed the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Shepherd Symphony Orchestra of Rice University as a winner of its concerto competition. He has since appeared with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony and the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland, where he served as principal cello and collaborated with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Paavo Järvi and Klaus Mäkelä. Other festival appearances include two summers as a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival.

Maximus earned his bachelor’s degree in cello performance at Rice University in May 2025, where he studied with Brinton Smith. He currently plays on a Tetsuo Matsuda cello, using a bow made by Matthew Wehling.

Outside of music, Maximus Gurath is an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and he enjoys staying active by playing basketball and running.