- Washington, DC
- Violinist
- Contact for rates
Jack N. said
“Zhenya was outstanding and easy to work with. Her ability to be flexible with our run of show and professionalism allowed us to work with here for multiple events. ”
Irina Desmond - Cellist
Overview
Irina is an experienced professional cellist who loves to play beautiful music and makes it enjoyable for the audience. She can play any style required, whether it is classical, jazz, ballad, love theme, medium rock or popular music, for any kind of event.
Reviews
8 reviews
Melissa L.
November 3, 2025Wonderful!
Irina was amazing to work with! She was very professional and accommodating. She plays beautifully and I would recommend her for any event!
Hired as: Cellist
Jeffrey K.
October 8, 2025Perfect for my wedding
Irina was the perfect cellist for my wedding. She went out of her way to understand which songs I was interested in before and during the ceremony. She practiced new and classics and played them flawlessly. She was super responsive, on time, an amazing player, and the perfect professional. Thank you so much for your role in making our wedding so special!! I would strongly recommend her for any future event.
Hired as: Cellist
Carolyn G.
August 19, 2025Exceptional performance!!
Irina was hired to play at our son’s rehearsal dinner the night before his wedding. The event was held a Hood College in the Whitaker Room. Irina enhanced the evening with her wonderful background cello music . Everyone was just floored with how special the evening was with Irina’. She is a talented and professional musician. I can’t wait to hire again for a future event.
Hired as: Cellist
Alex H.
June 12, 2025Amazing Cellist for your Ceremony or Event
My fiancée's (now wife's!) family heard Irina's cello playing at a local church service and recommended her to us for our wedding. She has an enormous repertoire and was able to help us narrow down a few selections for our pre-wedding ceremony, processional, and recessional. The playing was beautiful - she added a special element to the ceremony that really pulled it all together, and we really liked the setlist we came up with together. Highly recommend Irina for your event!
Hired as: Cellist
Lori R.
September 15, 2024Perfect cellist for our event!
Irina did a fantastic job! Her talent is obvious, she chose beautiful music and her professionalism made her a perfect choice for our event. We will definitely book her again if the need arises.
Hired as: Cellist
Booking information
Price range: $200 and up
Languages: English, Russian
Gig length: 60 - 150 minutes
What to expect
You can expect professional and beautiful performance of chosen repertoire, whether it is classical, popular or love theme songs. I ensure that I dress for the event.
I will arrive early to set up and will be following Covid-19 safety protocol.
About
Irina is a classically trained and educated cellist with deep experience playing with Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble, Quartets, and Solo. Irina began her musical education at the age of ten, has played for 24 years, and has fourteen years of formal musical education. She specializes in classical music and can play any musical style required. She is a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, Virginia, Principal Cellist, 2026 - Present
• NIH Philharmonia, Virginia, Principal Cellist (phone number hidden)6
• Loudoun County Symphony Orchestra, Virginia, Section Cello (phone number hidden)0
• Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Virginia, Section Cello 2018, acting principal cello (phone number hidden)1
• Symphony Orchestra of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Principal Cello.
• Musical Comedy Theater Orchestra, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Principal Cello.
• State Television and Radio Chamber Orchestra of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Principal Cello.
• National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Section Cello.
EDUCATION - UNIVERSITY LEVEL
• Bachelor’s Degree in Stringed Instruments, Cello
The State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (phone number hidden)3
LANGUAGE
• Russian, Native
• English, Professional Proficiency
Additional booking notes
Medium light, or at least, I should know if there will not be enough light.
Services offered
Set list
Sample Repertoire
CLASSICS
AIR ON G STRING — Bach
CELLO SUITE #1, 3 — Bach
SALUTE D'AMOUR — Elgar
CANON IN D — Pachelbel
AVE MARIA — Schubert
AVE MARIA — Gounod
APRES UN REVE — Faure
MEDITATION — Massenet
DREAMS — Schumann
LARGO, ALLEGRO (Winter) — Vivaldi
BRIDAL CHORUS — Wagner
CLOWR DE LUNE — Delbes
WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS — Tchaikovsky
PAVANE — Faure
CARO MIO BEN — Giordani
BLUE DANUBE WALTZ — Strauss
ARIOSO — Bach
MINUET — Boccherini
HABANERA — Bizet
+ more
POPULAR
THOUSAND YEARS — Christina Perri
PERFECT — Ed Sheeran
SENORITA — Camila Cabello
DESPACITO — Luis Fonsi
WE'RE GONNA BE FRIENDS — The White Stripes
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT — Elton John
I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU — Stevie Wonder
CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE — Elvis Presley
EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE — Sting
UNTIL I FOUND YOU — Stephen Sanchez
GIRLS LIKE YOU — Maroon 5
YELLOW — Coldplay
ETERNAL FLAME — The Bangles
SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW — Keane
SHAKE IT OFF — Taylor Swift
RIVER FLOWS IN YOU — Yiruma
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS — Metallica
THE UNFORGIVEN — Metallica
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN — Led Zeppelin
DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' — Journey
THE SOUND OF SILENCE — Disturbed
+ more
JAZZ & SWING
FLY ME TO THE MOON
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU
MY WAY
CARAVAN
LA VIE EN ROSE
SWAY
SUMMER SAMBA
SUMMERTIME
AUTUMN LEAVES
CHRISTMAS WALTZ
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME
TENNESSEE WALTZ
FEELING GOOD
STARDUST
HELLO, DOLLY!
MONA LISA
LAZY RIVER
EASY LIVING
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
FEELING GOOD
STARDUST
INDIANA
MISTY
+ more
CELTIC TUNES
SHENANDOAH
WALY WALY
MORRISON'S JIG
SALLEY GARDENS
THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER
HUNGARIAN GYPSY TUNE
HASTE TO THE WEDDING
SOURWOOD MOUNTAIN
THE LARK IN THE MORNING
LOCH LOMOND
STATEN ISLAND HORNPIPE
DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
WALTZING MATILDA
SCARBOROUGH FAIR
BARBARA ALLEN
ROMANIAN HORA
AIKEN DRUM
OFF SHE GOES
SPRING BREEZES
AURA LEE
DANNY BOY
+ various Irish melodies
Setup requirements
Cover or indoor plan in case of rain is required.
Report Irina Desmond - Cellist
Cellist
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