Los Angeles based cellist Danny O’Connell enjoys an active career teaching, performing, and recording music. Currently held orchestral positions include principal cellist of the California Young Artist Symphony, San Gabriel Valley Symphony, and USC Symphony, assistant principal of the Dream Orchestra, and substitute cellist with the West Side Ballet. Highlights from these orchestras have included working with renowned conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Carl St. Clair, Anthony Parnther, David Chan, and Alexander Treger, as well as performing in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Kavli Theatre, Rothenberg Hall, and the Ambassador Auditorium. Danny also is the founding cellist and performs regularly with his string quartet Quartet Aido. In the year since its founding, Quartet Aido has won 2nd prize in USC’s Chamber Music competition, presented a full recital in the final concert of California State University Northridge’s 2025 ChamberFest, recorded various film scores for composers including Grammy winner Mic Ferrante, and performed a significant number of house concerts in partnership with the organization GroupMuse. Danny also enjoys performing in freelance recording sessions, weddings, and other live music events.

Danny is currently finishing his Master’s Degree at the University of Southern California studying with Andrew Shulman. Prior to moving to LA, Danny earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Cello Performance with high distinction from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where he studied with Guy Johnston and was awarded the Alan Harris Cello Award. Other significant musical mentors have included Ahrim Kim, Reiner Eudiekis, Yura Lee, Tanya Carey, Carol Ourada, and the Ying Quartet. Danny has participated in solo and chamber masterclasses for Ralph Kirshbaum, Norman Fischer, Anne-Martindale Williams, Eugene Drucker, and Steuart Pincombe. Summer festival highlights have included Brevard Music Center, Credo National Festival, and AIMS in Graz. Danny also currently serves on the faculty at the Lyceum Oaks SummerFest and Tutti Chamber Music camp. Besides music, Danny enjoys exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends, and playing golf.