Our story

The band The CELLO Boys was formed in the fall of 2016. Since then, we have had numerous performances both in the Czech Republic and abroad. We have performed at various events such as balls, festivals, public gatherings, village celebrations, corporate parties, and more.

We also regularly organize our own concerts in different theaters or unconventional venues such as industrial spaces. Our repertoire spans across classical, pop, rock, and other modern genres. We interpret music from composers such as J.S. Bach, J. Haydn, A. Dvořák, as well as our own virtuosic arrangements of popular songs from bands like Nirvana, AC/DC, U2, Europe, Iron Maiden, and well-known artists and DJs like M. Jackson, L. Fonsi, Avicii, and many others.

We strive to connect these contrasting styles, incorporating motifs such as the 4th movement of Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” in the song “Fear of the Dark” by Iron Maiden, or Toccatas in D minor incorporated into “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.

Currently, we also perform our own original compositions at the intersection of genres such as DnB, Dubstep, pop, and rock. Recently, we have been invited to perform as soloists with chamber and symphony orchestras both in the Czech Republic and abroad. We carefully select our pieces to showcase virtuosic techniques and explore the full potential of our instruments, while keeping our performances engaging for both experts and casual listeners.

Ladislav Mariaš

Ladislav Mariaš started playing the cello at the age of 4, guided by his first teacher, Václav Stuchlý, who gave him a strong foundation and a love for the instrument. He then studied at the Ostrava-Poruba Art School (ZUŠ), where Mgr. Miroslav Doležil taught him with both care and discipline. In 2012, he entered the Prague Conservatory, studying in professor Renata Strašrybková´s class, who introduced him to his current bandmate. He continued his studies at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, working with Professor Mikael Ericsson, and graduated in 2024. For his master’s concert, he performed Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante Op. 125 with the Moravian Philharmonic Olomouc.

Ladislav has participated in many competitions and won several awards, including first place and the title of absolute winner in the national round of the ZUŠ competition for cellos and double basses, second place in the Bogdan Warchal Talents for Europe competition in Dolný Kubín, and participation in the international Wettbeverb Cello Competition in Liezen, Austria. He has attended courses and masterclasses with musicians such as Elizabeth Wilson, Michal Kaňka, Piotr Hausenplase, Sebastian Klinger, Petr Prause, Steven Isserlis, and Ján Slávik.

He passed an audition to join the Pilsen Philharmonic orchestra and later became the 2nd principal cellist. Since 2023, he has been part of the cello section of the Prague Symphony Orchestra, FOK.

In 2016, Ladislav founded The CELLO Boys, a band that focuses on concerts, recording mostly original music, and performing with renowned orchestras. He performs as a soloist, in orchestras, and in chamber projects.

In his free time, he writes original music for The CELLO Boys and arranges concerts with orchestras.

Zachar Fedorov

Zachar Fedorov is a passionate cellist with many years of experience. He started studying cello at the age of six under the guidance of Vitalie Belozerov and Oleg Fedorov. In 2007, he entered the Prague Conservatory in the class of renowned professor Renata Strašrybková.

In 2002, he participated in the nationwide ZUŠ competition for cello and won first place. Three years later, he won second place in the same competition. In 2011, he passed an audition and became a cellist at the North Bohemian Theatre in Ústí nad Labem, where he remained a member of the symphony orchestra until 2021.

He continued his education in cello and from 2014 he studied at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague under the guidance of Michal Kaňka. During his studies at the academy, he participated in numerous chamber performances with various musical genres, ranging from classical to contemporary pop-rock music.

As part of his studies, he participated in masterclasses led by M. Kaňka, J. Bárta, M. Ericsson, and C. Brotbek. In his concert activities, he has also performed as a soloist with the Teplice Philharmonic and the North Bohemian Theatre orchestra. He collaborates with leading Czech pianists such as Michal Mašek. Since 2015, he has been actively involved in the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, with whom he has toured abroad with artists such as Ennio Morricone, Danny Elfman, James Newton Howard, as well as Prague Selection or Accept.

Currently, he is also the concertmaster of the cello group in the orchestra of DJKT in Plzeň, apart from his involvement with The CELLO Boys.

Jakub Kočí

Jakub Kočí comes from Opava. He has been drawn to music from a young age, playing in various bands around Opava since the age of twelve and performing at music events where he met great musicians. In 2014, he successfully graduated from Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava with a focus on percussion instruments. Over the next two years, he pursued further studies at the same school, culminating in his graduation exam and final concert. He also founded his own band, with whom he successfully released a CD.

Since 2016, he has been studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague – specializing in jazz percussion instruments. During his studies from 2010 to 2016, he regularly performed with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra Ostrava.

Jakub’s skills are not limited to percussion instruments, as he also excels in playing guitar and piano, which he also teaches. He currently performs with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and assists the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra. He also creates his own music, which is featured in various projects.

He regularly performs with several bands of different styles (from classical to reggae to rock and pop), collaborating with various well-known artists. His current main band is the reggae band Švihadlo, with which he performs regularly at various festivals.

Jakub has been a member of The CELLO Boys since 2017.