IVA CASIAN-LAKOS, CELLO

New York-based cellist, singer, and improviser Iva Casian-Lakoš performs across the US and Europe with interdisciplinary, genre-bending ensembles Synesthetic Project, hear|say, Ensemble Illyrica, and Unheard-of//Ensemble. Iva’s versatile repertoire ranges from classical cello to boundary-stretching new works, involving choreography, singing, acting, and improvisation. 

Iva enjoys working on commissioned projects with composers such as Joan La Barbara, Wang Lu, Erika Dohi, Mak Murtić, and David Crowell. She also collaborates with visual artists, videographers, and dancers in interdisciplinary projects, often via the Vienna-based collective Synesthetic Project. 

This season’s performance highlights include a continuation of Iva’s collaboration with Joan La Barbara at Bang on a Can’s Long Play Festival, concerts with Derek Bermel and Argus Quartet, and a Southeastern US tour with Unheard-of//Ensemble. Iva is also touring in Ireland, Austria, Croatia, and the Czech Republic with European ensembles Illyrica and Synesthetic Project. 

Iva performed as soloist with Columbus Symphony Orchestra, New Albany Symphony, and SEO Symphony Orchestra, collaborated with members of JACK, Emerson, Calidore, and Ying quartets in chamber performances, and appeared in concert halls around the US, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center (Bruno Walter), Jordan Hall, and Kennedy Center (Millennium).  

She was also invited as soloist/chamber musician to Bang on a Can Marathon (online), Scena Amadeo (Zagreb), Hidalgo Festival (Munich), Hvar Festival (Hvar), Rites of Spring Festival (Long Island), IMS Prussia Cove (Cornwall), Barnes Ensemble (Philadelphia), Vivo Music Festival (Columbus, OH), and Lake George Music Festival (NY).