by Ariel Karas

It’s time to get to know one of my favorite humans in CLE! Torrell Moss is a top-notch performing artist, a great colleague, and a wonderful friend. OPUS 216 started experimenting with adding percussion to our strings ensembles more during the pandemic. Torrell has been up for every weird idea and it’s been a fun way to expand our original music, improvisation, Irish fiddle, folk, pop/jazz, and classical… so, like, everything! Here we go!

Time for the origin story! Where are you from?

I’m a professional percussionist originally from Buffalo, NY, and I’ve been based on the east side of Cleveland for about 3 years. Before moving to northeast Ohio, I lived, performed, and studied in Houston, Pittsburgh, and Coral Gables, Florida.

Tell us a bit about your musical journey, and how it all began!

I actually started as a cellist in the 3rd grade and started playing drums for fun in high school. When I went to college (originally for pre-law) I went to some of the concerts that the percussion department was putting on and they were so cool that I decided to switch gears and began playing percussion. I went to SUNY Fredonia for my Bachelors in Music, where I primarily studied with Kay Stonefelt. After that, I went to Rice University for my Masters and studied with Richard Brown and Matt Strauss. From 2015-2017, I was the orchestral training program fellow with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and studied with the PSO percussion section. Finally, I went to the Frost School of Music for an Artist Diploma and studied with Matt Strauss once again, as well as Svet Stoyanov. Since moving to Cleveland, I’ve started studying with members of TCO percussion/timpani sections to further my approach!

OPUS 216 Livestream (September, 2020) at Maltz Performing Arts Center

What are some of your favorite aspects of the northeast Ohio arts and culture community?

I love how appreciated the arts are here. I’ve lived all over and the arts scene here in Cleveland, both onstage and behind the scenes, is the right combination of vibrant and accessible. Even in pandemic times, groups like OPUS 216 are still performing. I think that’s amazing and it shows just how relevant what we do is for the rest of Cleveland.

Classical Revolution Cleveland Front Yard Concert, sponsored by OPUS 216. Also featuring cellist Ellie Glorioso Wible

Favorite places in town to eat/socialize?

The Academy Tavern! We are Larchmere residents and love the people and the vibe!

Favorite live music experience onstage?

That has to probably be some of the bigger concerts I performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony. My fellowship with the Orchestra not only included the usual gamut of classical repertoire, but we also performed with Common, Celtic Women, the Chieftains, and others. It was a spectacular experience.

What about your most memorable experience as an audience member?

Experiencing Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring by Pittsburgh, listening to the Cleveland Orchestra’s Pictures At An Exhibition, and then so many shows from different bands and artists across the region.

What’s your favorite non-musical interest?

Cooking and audio production (recording, mixing, and mastering)…

What about your favorite mantra/words of wisdom?

“The time is always right to do what is right” -MLK Jr.

What are your favorite aspects of OPUS 216 performances?

I’ve made great friends in the ensemble – going to a gig is like catching up and I think that’s awesome.

OPUS 216 event with Victor Beyens, violin and Trevor Kazarian, cello

Anything else you want to add or discuss about projects around town?

Make sure you check out the Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project (CUSP) and Cleveland Opera Theater!

http://www.uncommonsoundcle.com & http://www.clevelandoperatheater.org

PLAYBACK: TORRELL MOSS