Rate My Professor Adriana Ransom

Adriana Ransom serves as Director of the School of Music in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, where she previously taught cello for 14 years as Professor of Cello. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Missouri, where she studied with Dr. Nina Gordon, and both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in cello performance from the University of Minnesota, where she worked with Dr. Tanya Remenikova, completing her DMA in 2005. Prior to her extensive tenure at Illinois State University, Ransom served on the faculties of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Cloud State University, the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, and the Grumo Music Festival in Italy. She directs the Illinois State University String Project, which provides group string instruction opportunities for local families and hands-on teaching experience for music majors.

A dedicated performer, Ransom has appeared as a soloist with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Illinois State Wind Symphony, and Illinois State Symphony Orchestra, and as a guest artist on recital series and at universities throughout the Midwest. She currently serves as Principal Cellist of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and was formerly a member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, St. Cloud Symphony, European Musical Festival Orchestra, and Sinfonia da Camera. Ransom has received the Illinois State University Outstanding University Teacher Award, Outstanding University Service Award in 2019, and the Illinois ASTA Distinguished Service Award. She has presented at the American String Teachers Association National Conference on topics including David Popper’s character pieces, supplementary etudes for intermediate-level cello concertos, and the use of visual color for musical expression. Her contributions extend to committee service, including the University Teaching Council and college committees, enhancing music education and performance at Illinois State University and beyond.