Bohman Bernt

Born in Falun, Sweden. Started playing the cello at age 12. Studied under Professor Gustav Gröndahl at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, graduating with the highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, and serving as principal cellist at the State Opera in Gothenburg, Sweden (known as Gothenburg in Swedish). As an overseas exchange student and a West German scholarship student, he studied under Professor Paul Tortelier in the master's class at the Folkwang University of the Arts. Finally, as a Finnish government scholarship student, he studied under Professor Art Nolas in the master's class at the Sibelius Academy, graduating with honors in 1979. He served as principal cellist of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra for 31 years from 1980 until March 2011, after which he became a part-time lecturer at Tamagawa University College of Arts, where he taught the next generation of cellists. He retired in March 2016 and is currently active as a soloist and guest principal cellist with various orchestras, while also being involved in missionary work, including chapel concerts.