Deborah Pae is Professor of Cello at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Music & Dance and with the Formosa Quartet, serves as Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and the Texas Music Festival. She has previously held faculty positions at the Formosa Chamber Music Festival, Taipei Music Academy & Festival, and Perlman Music Program.

Prof. Pae has given masterclasses at festivals and institutions around the world, including the Juilliard School, the University of Michigan, Columbia University, Taipei National University of the Arts, Tunghai University, University of Houston, University of California Los Angeles, Bowling Green State University, the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division, International Cello Institute, and Colburn Conservatory.

Cellists who have studied with Prof. Pae have gone on to capture first and special prizes at competitions throughout the US and abroad; secured notable fellowships and competitive graduate assistantships; successfully auditioned for festivals; have been accepted to programs at the Juilliard School College and Pre-College Divisions, the New England Conservatory, the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins, University of Memphis, Bowling Green State University, and University of Missouri; and are certified and fully practicing music therapists.

Deborah works with young professionals and educational institutions throughout the country, giving masterclasses and workshops on career development, financial literacy, and team building. For educational inquiries, please submit a form on the CONTACT page.

Select Residency Positions, Assistantships, Scholarships:

  • Artist Fellowship, Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s Musician Fellowship Program

  • Musician in Residence at the Edenwald Community; Peabody Institute of Music at The Johns Hopkins University

  • Viola da Gamba Society of America’s Grant-in-Aid Recipient

  • Peabody at the Bloomington Early Music Festival Fellowship

  • Graduate Orchestral Assistant Fellowship, Bowling Green State University

  • Graduate String Quartet Fellowship, Bowling Green State University

  • Mizzou New Music Initiative Fellowship, University of Missouri

  • Graduate Assistantship in Orchestral Studies, Eastern Michigan University

  • Music Therapy Internship, Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan

  • Mary Phipps Scholarship

  • Marian & Fred Olmstead Scholarship 

  • Daisy V. Riley & Clara Perry Lockie Scholarship 

  • Dr. Earl L. & Charlotte S. Baker Scholarship 

  • Fred Shure-Robert Farrell Scholarship

  • Victoria Schneider Scholarship, Mu Phi Epsilon

  • Shing Cheng Seetoo Endowed Scholarship in Orchestral Strings

  • Zhiwen Seetoo Cello Scholarship

Select Competitions:

  • Finalist, Principal Cello, Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra

  • Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition (First and Special Prize)

  • National Youth Orchestra of Canada’s Award of Excellence

  • The Canada Council for the Arts, Michael Measures Prize

  • The Banff International Quartet Competition (First Prize)

  • White Lake Young Artist Solo Competition (First Prize)

  • Graduate Performance Competition, Eastern Michigan University (First Prize)

  • Barry Manilow Competition, Eastern Michigan University (First Prize)

Select Programs and Festivals:

  • Interlochen Arts Academy

  • Interlochen Arts Summer Arts Camp

  • Detroit Civic Youth Orchestra

  • Brevard Music Center Summer Institute & Festival

  • The National Youth Orchestra of Canada

  • The Viola da Gamba Society of America Conclave

  • The Formosa Chamber Music Festival, Taiwan

  • Texas Music Festival

  • PhoenixPhest

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Courtesy of Taipei Music Academy & Festival

Courtesy of Taipei Music Academy & Festival

Courtesy of Taipei Music Academy & Festival