AUSTIN PACKER

Award-winning cellist, Austin Packer, began studying the cello at the age of 9 and has been the winner of several local, statewide, and national competitions since that time. Some of these competitions include First Place winner of the MTNA Young Artist Competition Utah Division and Second Place winner of the MTNA Young Artist Competition Southwest United States Division in Santa Barbara, CA. He was also named First Place Winner of the UMTA Concerto Competition and was a two-time winner of the Weber State University (WSU) Concerto Night Competition. 

Austin received a BM in Cello Performance from WSU where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Viktor Uzur. Austin then went on to study in the Master of Music program at the University of Utah (UofU) where he worked with members of the Utah Symphony; Pegsoon Whang and John Eckstein. 

During his time at the UofU Austin served as Principal Cellist of the UofU Philharmonia and was granted the position of Teaching Assistant as a member of the Michie Graduate String Quartet. 

Austin continues to perform regularly throughout Utah as a guest artist, studio musician, substitute cellist for Ballet West, and Principal Cellist of Chamber Orchestra Ogden.  

Some of Austin's favorite past times include grilling/smoking meats, playing golf, and spending time with his wife and 2 children.