Giving deserving students the chance to play a fine cello
Ray Carlsen, founder: 1935-2025
With great sadness, we share that our wonderful founder, Ray Carlsen, passed away on April 4. There will be more in the coming days and weeks. For now, we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for seeing how all of those beautiful cellos would brighten the lives, inspire the imaginations and open so many possibilities for dozens of young cellists. As the road he paved goes on, we will miss and remember him always with love, immense gratitude and beautiful cello music.
Our Mission:
Carlsen Cello Foundation loans outstanding cellos to talented and deserving students who could not otherwise afford a fine instrument. Since its founding by Ray Carlsen in the early 1990's, CCF has given dozens of terrific young cellists the chance to pursue their dreams, getting to play on a beautiful cello, unencumbered by cost.