Richard Lee Aaron is professor of cello at the University of Michigan since 2006 and The Juilliard School since 2007. He also teaches at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University and previously taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory.

Aaron has conducted masterclasses in Spain, Germany, France, Holland, Korea, Japan, China, Czech Republic, New Zealand and Australia as well as at many of the leading music schools in North America, including the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Rice University, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Eastman School of Music, Mannes, Hartt School and The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Since 2003, Aaron has been on the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and has taught at many other summer music institutes including the Indiana University String Academy, Calgary Music Bridge, Peter the Great Music Festival (Groningen, Holland), Aria International Summer Academy (Massachusetts), Innsbruck Summer Music Academy (Missouri), Chautauqua Institution (New York), the Idyllwild Summer Program (California), Heifetz International Music Institute (Virginia), Marrowstone Music Festival (Washington), and The Encore school for strings (Ohio).

A frequent competition judge, Aaron has recently served at the Klein Competition, Beijing International Competition, Isan Yun Competition (Korea), Cassado (Japan), Amsterdam Cello Biennale Competition, Schadt String Competition and The Stulberg Competition.

Many of Aaron’s students have won prestigious prizes at competitions around the world, including First Prizes at the Tchaikovsky Competition, Naumburg, Washington International, Johansen in Washington, Isan Yun in Korea, Cassado in Japan and Klein in San Francisco.

Former Aaron students have occupied positions in major orchestras such as Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, Dallas, Portland, St. Paul, Pittsburg, San Francisco, Utah, and the Metropolitan Opera to name just a few. His students also participate in many award-winning ensembles, such as the Biava, Fry Street, American, Pandereski, Linden, Escher and Aeolus string quartets.

For enjoyment and enrichment, Aaron studies and plays the viola de gamba and baroque cello.