This month, our Springboard SPOTLIGHT shines on Violinist Cyrano Jett Rosentrater one of our 2024 Springboard Grant Winners and recipient of the special Peter Benoliel & Willow Carey Award for a Violinist.
Cyrano Jett Rosentrater Violinist
At what age did you begin performing and what inspired you to do so?
Performing is an exhilarating task, and I feel lucky that I was able to start early, at the age of four. In my opinion, there is always an element of risk in music-making. When I perform, I like to embrace the risk, which allows me to have fun on stage.
What was the most exciting thing that’s happened to you as you’ve pursued the performing arts?
I find learning to be incredibly exciting; I consider learning from mentors to be a crucial part of my journey. I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with Kimberly Fisher (my violin teacher) and Thomas Weaver (my composition teacher). They’ve taught me so much; not just about technique, but about finding my voice in what I create. My first music teachers, Scott Wagner, Dr. Ariane Alexander and Nina Wilkinson, were cornerstones of that process.
What are some stumbling blocks you’ve encountered along the way?
I’ve faced denial from programs, honors, and competitions many times. It’s important to not let stumbling blocks discourage you. Tenacity and perseverance are important—if a door doesn’t open upon persistent knocking, ”kick down said door”!
Dream big … If you can envision achieving great success in the performing arts, describe what that would that look like?
My idea of great success in the performing arts is being able to make any story work. I want to create authentic experiences that spellbind the audience—in this way, I would love to have complete freedom in how I create these experiences.
What’s your favorite genre of music and why?
I enjoy several genres of music, and I think it’s important to mix it up! I constantly look for new music to listen to. However, at the top of my playlist right now are electrojazz, barbershop, and lots of modern classical music.
Have you ever met a really famous performing artist and if so, who was it and what was your interaction?
A few years ago, I had the incredible opportunity of having a violin masterclass with internationally acclaimed violin soloist Hilary Hahn. It was very insightful and humbling to learn from someone of her caliber.
Describe what you think would be the most useful or beneficial thing to you, if given the opportunity to mentored by a successful artist?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been mentored by successful artists over the years. What I’ve found most valuable in mentorship is the guidance to stay true to yourself while still pushing to improve. It’s not just about learning skills—it’s about finding balance too.
As a performing artist, what stands in the way of fulfilling your dreams?
Sometimes, it’s easy to feel like there are too many voices telling you what you should do instead of following your instincts. A large obstacle can be tuning out the stress and focusing on what really matters—connecting with others through your art.
If you could have lunch with an A-list performing artist, who would that be?
I would love to have lunch with Bryn Terfel. His ability to blend storytelling with powerful vocal delivery is inspiring, and I’d relish the chance to talk to him about his approach to character and performance.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, practice, practice! Along with a calendar, email and a fighting spirit!
Favorite Musician: Any musician who strives to connect with their audience
Favorite Musical Instrument: All of them!
Favorite Actor: Alfred Molina
Favorite Actress: Tara Strong
Favorite Comedian: Seth MacFarlane
Favorite Dancer: I think Philadelphia Ballet is amazing
Favorite Movie: Bao
Favorite Show: Cosmos
If you couldn’t be a performing artist, what would you like to do?
I would love to be an author, or a radio show host!
My most recent accomplishments:
• Semifinalist for 2025 Sphinx Competition (final round will occur in January 2025)
• 2025 YoungArts Winner in Classical Music/Violin.
• Jr. Peace and Music Ambassador 2024; First Prize in Harmony for Peace Foundation Strings Competition.
Biography
Cyrano Jett Rosentrater (violin/composer, he/him), 17, creates authentic musical experiences. A native of Philadelphia, he attends the Julia R. Masterman School, a Philadelphia public school.
Cyrano is a Primavera Artist (’20-’24) and has received several grants, including the Marian Anderson Young Artists’ Grant (’18), the Peter Benoliel and Willo Carey Grant (’24), and the SPHINX MPower Grant (’22, ’24).
Cyrano studied in masterclasses with Hilary Hahn, David Kim, Curtis Stewart, James M. Stephenson, Jessie Montgomery, Alexandros Sakarellos, Melissa White, Thomas Whitman and Dara Morales. He has attended music summer programs, including the Sphinx Performance Academy at Juilliard and Curtis, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Juilliard Summer Strings, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Interlochen, Kinhaven and the Dali Quartet International Music Festival.
Cyrano currently studies violin with Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Having studied classical violin for thirteen years, he is a 2025 Winner in YoungArts Classical Music/Violin, a semifinalist in the 2024 National Sphinx Competition for strings, the 2023-24 MTNA Pennsylvania Senior Performance String Division winner, a Jr. Peace and Music Ambassador, First Prize in the Harmony for Peace Foundation Strings Competition, and has served as concertmaster for various youth orchestras, most notably the Philadelphia All-City Orchestra (HS/MS), Musicopia, the Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra and the Juilliard Sphinx Performance Academy Chamber Orchestra.
In addition to his orchestral work, Cyrano has performed with several ensembles. He is the founding member of the Tres Voces Piano Trio and is the first violin in the Advanced-Study Ann Newman String Quartet, coached by William Polk of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Settlement School of Music. Furthermore, he was the Principal Second Violin of the National Pathways Festival Orchestra in Nashville, Tennessee under Giancarlo Guerrero (‘24). He is a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and serves as a substitute for the DePue Brothers Band bluegrass ensemble on their “Christmas Grassical” tours (‘21,‘22,‘23).
A composition student of Dr. Thomas Weaver at the Philadelphia Curtis Institute of Music, Cyrano is a seasoned composer. Cyrano’s first serious pieces were written at the age of eight. He is a winner of the National Young Composers’ Challenge (‘24), an inaugural recipient of the Philadelphia All-City Ballet Music Fellowship (‘23), and the winner of the Tanglewood Opening Fanfare Call for Scores (‘23). Additionally, he is the winner of the American Composers’ Forum Solo Violin Call for Scores (‘22), first prize winner in the PMTA Keystone Composition Competition (‘24), third prize winner in the MTNA National Senior Composers’ Competition (‘23; State Winner ‘21-24), and a finalist in the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composers’ Awards. Finally, Cyrano is the first prize winner of the JW Pepper 70th Anniversary International Society for Music Education International Composer Competition (‘24).
Cyrano is also a pianist, studying piano and composition with Dr. Ariane Alexander for the past twelve years. He has participated in numerous South Jersey Music Teachers’ Association Piano Fall Festivals and juried recitals, consistently earning Superior and Gold Distinction ratings in Piano Performance (‘20, ‘21,‘22,‘23). He also studies voice and composition with Dr. Timothy Renner and is a Bass in his school choir. As a Musical Director/Arranger for his school’s SATB a cappella group, the Masterman Sweet Sixteen, he further showcases his versatility.
Outside of music, Cyrano enjoys reading and writing poetry, having earned a Scholastic Silver Key Award for his poetry (‘22). He has placed in the National Spanish Exam several times (‘21,’22,’23), having twice earned a silver medal for his proficiency (‘22,’23). Cyrano has also received the Spanish Department award (2023) and the Music Department award (2020) at his school. He is deeply grateful to the mentors who have guided him, including his first violin teacher, Scott Wagner, and his first composition teacher, Nina Wilkinson. Cyrano remains committed to “reaching the unreachable stars.”
