Kadeeja Best
Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Los Angles, California, Kadeeja Best grew up in a creative household surrounded by art and music, so it only made sense that one day she would pick up an instrument to call her own. At the age of 16 she first began her musical studies on the cello after hearing the famous recording of Jaqueline Du Pre performing the Elgar Cello Concerto. Being completely infatuated with the instrument she practiced day and night trying to reach her goals of one day being able to play the music she loved. In 2010 just over one year later, she gave her first solo performance at Lyman Hall in L.A. In 2011-2012 she was awarded a scholarship to study at the National Cello Institute which is hosted by world renowned pedagogue Rick Mooney. At her time there, she studied with: Amy Sue Barston, Sarah Koo, Pam Davenport, Rodney Farrar, and Rick Mooney.
In 2013, she received a full scholarship to the International Cremona Music Festival and Academy in Cremona, Italy, where she studied with Vladimir Panteleyev. While there she performed chamber works and solos throughout northern Italy.
In 2015 Kadeeja moved to Chicago, IL to further pursue her musical career. She attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts where she studied with Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Karen Basrak and Richard Hirshl. While living as a professional musician in Chicago over the years, she has continued her solo and orchestral performances. As well as growing her private teaching studio. She has recently become an active substitute musician with the West Michigan Symphony, the Illinois Philharmonic, and the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra.
She also has recorded and edited her own series of music videos for her successful business, Sound of Style, which blur the lines between classical music and fashion, making both more easily accessible. Kadeeja is an avid advocate for music and the arts to be accessible to everyone.
She is currently on faculty as a teaching artist for Ravinia’s El Sistema program. Aside from performing, teaching and recording music, Kadeeja loves to spend time at home with her husband Boyan, and their black cat named Bear.