Ranya Iqbal
St. Louis cellist, Ranya Iqbal maintains a busy performance schedule and an eclectic mix of musical output. Currently, she plays full time with the 314 Quartet in local St. Louis Candlelight Concerts. She is also the principal cellist and co-founder of the conductor-less chamber orchestra, the St. Louis Chamber Soloists. She performs regularly with Union Avenue Opera, Winter Opera, the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, Stages St. Louis, and is a substitute for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of the Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra, St. Louis’ premiere silent film accompaniment ensemble. Additionally, she is a founding member of the Zafira String Quartet, the first and only full electric string quartet in St. Louis.
In addition to orchestral and chamber work, Ranya loves collaborating with local musicians in special concerts and on albums. She regularly records as a session cellist in many of the St. Louis recording studios and also provides remote recording work out of her personal home studio.
Outside of performing, most of Ranya's time is spent working with the St. Louis String Collective, an educational non-profit she co-founded with two other St. Louis string musicians, where she teaches lessons, classes, and organizes community events. She maintains a full cello studio comprised of students ages 5-85.