Benjamin Morris-Cline

Assistant Professor
MM, University of Northern Colorado
Chair, Cello and Bass, Director of Orchestras
Office: Malloy Hall 134
Phone: (785) 628-4226
Email: brmorriscline@fhsu.edu

Benjamin Morris-Cline, cellist, is currently teaching at Fort Hays State University as Assistant Professor of Cello and Bass, Director of Orchestras, and serving as Department Chair. Previously, he was the Visiting Professor of Cello at the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Morris-Cline is accomplished in both solo and orchestral roles, and has held several titled positions in orchestras in Colorado and California. He has performed both nationally and internationally in a variety of venues, both in solo and chamber music performances, including a live broadcast of the Kodaly Duo for Violin and Cello on Public Radio in Rochester, New York. Recently, he gave the Taiwan premier performance of Johan de Meij's Casanova for Cello and Wind Orchestra, with calls for two encores. During the summer of 2008 Mr. Morris-Cline returned to Taiwan to perform Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations with the Kaohsuing Symphony Orchestra and to give recitals with pianist Tali Morgulis at the Tunghai International Music Festival.

In addition to his performance activities, Mr. Morris-Cline is an active teacher. He has many years of experience teaching both privately and in the public school classroom, having taught at all levels from kindergarten through graduate school. He has served as an adjudicator in solo and ensemble festivals, all-state orchestras, given master classes around the country, and actively recruits for public school music programs. He continues to be active as an educator in the primary and secondary areas, most notably with his work as pedagogical advisor to the Western Kansas String Academy.

Mr. Morris-Cline earned his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied with Jim Fittz, and later studied with Alan Harris at the Cleveland Institute of Music. While at CIM, he also received instruction from Stephen Geber, Anne Epperson, members of the Cleveland Quartet, the Cavani Quartet, and participated in a master class with the Julliard String Quartet.