A believer in music as a vehicle for social change, cellist Jacob MacKay is involved with diverse projects that bring classical music to new audiences, highlight cultural challenges in our society, and spotlight underrepresented communities.

Jacob graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University in 2016 with degrees in Environmental Studies and Cello Performance.  He was awarded a four-year Leonard Bernstein Music Fellowship, and was a recipient of the Coffey Award for “excellence in the performance of music” and the Fisher Prize for “extraordinary achievement in the creative arts.”  In 2019, he received a master’s degree in Cello Performance from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, having studied with Norman Fischer.  Jacob is currently a member of the New Bedford Symphony and performs regularly with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.  This is his fourth season as Resident Cellist and Education Coordinator at the Newport String Project.