Dr. Roman Placzek
cellist * educator * composer * organizer * executive
Czech‑American Cellist, Composer, and Educator.
A performer and mentor influencing contemporary cello teaching and performance.
Dr. Roman Placzek pairs technical precision with deep musical expression. As co‑founder of the Nezhdanova–Placzek Duo with pianist Dr. Elena Nezhdanova, he programs concerts that fuse classical tradition with contemporary repertoire. A dedicated researcher and teacher, he created the BumbleBee Method, a physiology-based approach to cello playing that helps students play with greater ease and musical freedom and helps teachers establish physiologically correct playing habits in students right from the very start. His compositions—emotionally vivid and technically assured—are performed internationally. Notable collaborators include James Buswell, Charles Treger, Konstantin Lifschitz, Corin Redgrave, and Roberta Flack; he has also refined his craft through masterclasses with Yo‑Yo Ma and Carlos Prieto. He is the founder and CEO of BumbleBee Notes™ Inc. in Manlius, NY, a hub for music education and creative programming that cultivates the next generation of artists.
BOOKING: Contact BumbleBee Notes Music Events & Travel through the contact form here or call +1 (336) 202-9973.
Cellist
The "Quotes…"
“The concert featured a "dreamlike musical dialogue," blending Nezhdanova’s fluid, expressive piano playing with Placzek’s deep and soulful cello performance.” - Inner Mongolia Normal University School of Music, May 24, 2025, Tang Ying
“Placzek’s ppp cello playing was amazingly beautiful … Placzek’s cello had very powerful sound, more than standing up to the equally big sound of the Music House Model C Steinway of 1887. … Both performers approached the sonata with satisfying self-assurance, turning out a flawless performance.” - Posted by Richard Parsons, Nov 6, 2016, CVNC review
“The middle piece was a sextet version of W.A. Mozart’s beloved Sinfonia Concertante, K.364, which he penned while living in Salzburg in 1779. Reconfigured for strings and referred to as Grande Sestetto Concertante, the parts are more or less evenly distributed. This makes for an altogether different listening experience, one you could appreciate from your living room, perhaps. For example, the oboes and horns are conspicuously missing in the last movement. But, the first cello part, played superbly by Roman Placzek, makes a richly distinct difference.” - Karen Moorman, Jun 5, 2012, CVNC review
In May 2025, Roman and his Duo traveled to China to perform at the Acacia Tree Festival in Dalian. The Duo made a lasting impression on the diverse age audience in the Dalian Theater’s Performance Hall.
While studying at The Boston Conservatory, Roman participated in several high-profile masterclasses, including one with Yo-Yo Ma. His outstanding performance earned him the nickname "Ro-Ro Man” among his students.
Before this picture was taken at the Easter Music Festival in Greensboro in 2015, Roman had never met Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. Then he played in the ensemble with her, and these moments were captured after the concert. Instant connections through music and beautiful sound are Dr. Roman’s passion.
In China, N-P Duo played with several virtuoso players (in the photo: Aorigele from the University of Nationalities in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China) who performed on traditional Mongolian instruments, including the horsehead fiddle (morin khuur).
Chamber music is a core part of Dr. Roman’s performing career. NP Duo is his passion, but performing with other excellent chamber musicians is always on the menu. In this picture from June 2019, NP Duo performs the viola version of Brahms' Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114, with the world-famous violist Vladimír Bukač, at Atrium in Žižkov, Prague, Czech Republic.
Dr. Roman Placzek is a Czech-born cellist with a 30-year international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and principal player with major orchestras. He has performed as a featured soloist on tours throughout Inner Mongolia, Europe, and the Eastern USA, and at festivals including the NC Bach Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Apple Hill. Roman performed as a soloist in cello concertos by Dvořák, Boccherini, Casadesus-Bach, and J.S. Bach with the Ostrava Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, UMass Amherst Opus One Ensemble, North Carolina Festival Ensemble, and others. He has held principal and section positions with Pro Musica Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, Newton Symphony, Chelsea Opera, North Carolina Bach Festival Ensemble, North Carolina Symphony, and Denmark’s Odense Symphony, among others. During his career, Dr. Placzek has collaborated with artists across genres and affiliations, including legendary American singer Roberta Flack, famous British actor Corin Redgrave, world-renowned Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov, remarkable American violinists Nadja Salerno‑Sonnenberg, Charles Treger, Ruggiero Ricci, and James Buswell, and extraordinary pianists such as Russian piano virtuoso Konstantin Lifschitz and American piano icon William Wolfram. He has also participated in masterclasses with Yo‑Yo Ma, Nathaniel Rosen, and Carlos Prieto. Dr. Roman expands the cello repertoire through his compositions, new arrangements, and commissions, blending historical traditions, crossover style, and contemporary insights. This includes a recognized cross‑cultural project in Inner Mongolia, in which he performed with the Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo and several national virtuosos on the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle).
This video is the most popular on Dr. Roman’s YouTube channel, with 45K+ views and counting every day. It serves as an educational tool and as a listener-proclaimed example of the best interpretation of the piece. F.A. Kummer, Duet for Two Cellos No. 1 in C Major, Op. 22, with Czech cellist Lukáš Novotný. June, 2019, Jesenik, Czech Republic.
This sample was recorded during the Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo's 2018 tour of Germany and the Czech Republic, at their June concert in Dresden. During the tour, Dr. Roman performed on a brand-new instrument crafted for the occasion by renowned Czech luthier Mr. Tomáš Skála. For more information about Mr. Skála and his work, please visit his website.
Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, Penelope from Mythologies for two sopranos, piano, and cello. Elena Nezhdanova - piano, Julia Ebner and Juliana Sabol - soprano, and Roman Placzek - cello. Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, October 2025.
Martinů was one of the most prolific composers of cello repertoire in the 20th century. His last piece, The Variations on Slovak National Song, is Dr. Placzek's signature piece and his favorite to perform with his Duo. This video is from their March 2022 concert in Cazenovia, NY.
Educator
The "Quotes…"
“Dr. Roman, while I am not in your class, a few of my students are. Wren Olson always leaves your class with a smile and never stops talking about how amazing you are. I am so glad we can have you as a member of Wells Community this semester, and I hope you can come back.” - Jack Bjorkander (Coordinator of Residence Life and Service Learning at Wells College)
“Dr. Roman, thank you endlessly for coming to our rescue this semester. Our time together has been the most instructional and fantastic musical experience I have had in years! Your knowledge, compassion, and patience are just remarkable and so appreciated. We sincerely cannot express enough gratitude for you. Us ‘orchadorks' welcome you back to Wells anytime. Thank you again!” - Liz Purcell (student violist, Wells College ’24)
Dr. Roman’s connection with his students knows no boundaries. Students of any age or in any setting, whether in private lessons or a mini group-masterclass, appreciate his sense of humor, insightful knowledge, and respectful teaching style.
Teaching adult learners is Dr. Placzek’s passion. To him, love for learning is truly demonstrated in the meetings. And he rewards it with dedication and respect these late-blooming bumblebees deserve.
The BumbleBee Notes Music Academy “family” photos after recitals are among the most precious moments for Dr. Roman and his professional and life partner, Dr. Ellena Nezhdanova.
This is Sam, a highly autistic adult student who, under the guidance of Dr. Placzek, experiences the thrill and joy of learning cello, as do all his students, with smiles and excitement.
Exploring “how things work” is a never-ending journey for Dr. Roman, little Margot, and all his students. There are no wrong questions and all “whys" must be answered and demonstrated to the letter and peg.
From Masterclasses in China (2025)
The "Quote…"
“On May 23, internationally renowned cello master Dr. Roman Placek visited the Inner Mongolia Normal University School of Music to lead a unique masterclass, exploring the profound charm of the cello alongside faculty and students. During the session, Dr. Placek shared his extensive teaching experience and unique methods, providing in-depth guidance on techniques ranging from fundamental posture and bowing to advanced emotional expression and musical interpretation. He personally demonstrated corrections and patiently answered student questions, fostering a vibrant and focused learning atmosphere. This masterclass not only established a platform for direct exchange with an international master but also injected new vitality into the campus arts culture, broadening artistic horizons and elevating the professional standard of cello instruction. Looking ahead, the School of Music remains committed to inviting top-tier artists to campus to further promote the prosperity and development of musical arts and the cultivation of outstanding talent.” - Inner Mongolia Normal University School of Music; May 27, 2025; Zhao Jie, Wu Wu-yang-ga.
When language is a small obstacle, body language and dancing help...
…and it makes no difference if the class is of one or many...
…as long as the students are open to suggestions...
…are willing to listen, watch, absorb, and try...
...and never say no to a group picture to make sure none of us forgets our meeting.
The "Quote…"
"I studied with Roman for a semester, my freshman year of college at Shenandoah University. Of the 7 semesters of private lessons I took at that college, that semester had the biggest impact on my playing during that time frame. Roman took the time to break down fundamentals - never judging, speaking down to me, or making me feel like I was foolish or stupid to not know something basic. By breaking down the basics of playing - bowings, scales, really working on my tone - he made me feel like a more confident player. He was always genuine, caring, and focused in our time together. He was especially good at encouraging the things I was passionate about and good at during our time together, while offering the criticism I needed to grow as a player. Without him helping me rebuild some of my foundation, I'm not sure I'd still be playing cello - or have had the confidence to finish my college lessons. Even in group rehearsals, he was positive energy. He wanted us to understand what we were doing, but took the time to praise us for what we did well. Roman is great at keeping the energy up, staying positive, and still teaching each of us what we need to know, which is not what you typically see in teachers. He's truly one in a million.” - Kristina Troxel-Dowler (cello, Shenandoah Conservatory, 2011)
In Fall 2017, the Nehdanova-Placzek Duo was invited to participate in a mini tour of upstate New York. The tour featured two concerts and a masterclass for the studio of cellist Gregory Wood, a member of the Syracuse Symphony and an adjunct professor of cello at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College.
In 2019, the Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo embarked on their second European tour. This time, they performed in the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. In London, both members led masterclasses for students at North London Collegiate School.
THIS VIDEO IS IN CZECH
During the Czechia-United Kingdom Tour 2019, Dr. Roman visited Janáček Conservatory, his former high school, to give a masterclass for prospective and current students.
Composer & Publisher
Dr. Placzek serves as the Chief Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of BumbleBee Notes Music Publishing, overseeing the design, editing, translation, adaptation, and management of BBNMP editions. His primary responsibility is to expand and curate the company’s music catalog. In a short period, he has secured rights and translated, adapted, edited, and published the nine-volume New Music Education School series by Dr. Eva Šašinková, and has also published several chamber music works, collections of exercises, and Czech Christmas carols. His latest projects include two volumes of the Gajdoš Double Bass School, a double bass method by Dr. Eva Šašinková.
Dr. Roman pursues publishing not only to share musical materials but specifically to launch his own physiology-based cello method, the BumbleBee Method (also called the Method of Feelings). His primary goal is to ensure this method, now nearly ready for release in its beginner and intermediate sections, matches his standards for format and style. To gain experience for this publication, he first published three children's poetry books — Ella’s Happy Animals 1, 2, and 3 — and a Christmas poem-story titled Ella’s Happy Animals Christmas Eve Carols 2023. He dedicated these works to his daughter, Ella, and his late puppy, Brownie, who accompanied him during the toughest part of his life for 16 years, enduring life in a foreign country and cancer. This work paved the way for founding BumbleBee Notes™ Inc. Music Corporation, which encompasses a boutique publishing branch among its divisions.
As a composer, Dr. Placzek has composed several chamber music compositions, such as Balade and Epilogue for string trio, Dumka for cello and piano, Dance of the Witches for string quartet, and Dream for two violins and piano, also arranged for other chamber ensembles. These works, previously released by Brixton Publications, are now part of BBNMP’s Legacy Edition. He also creates arrangements for various chamber ensembles.
The comprehensive list of all Dr. Placzek's compositions and books will be made available in the near future.
Composer - Roman Placzek loves composing pieces that are adaptable for musicians of almost any age and accessible to any audience. “Prayer” was originally composed for two violins and a piano, but now exists in three other arrangements. This particular arrangement was commissioned for young musicians, and since then, it has continued to provide a wonderful piece for young chamber ensembles to perform, even helping them win competitions.
Prayer for three violins and piano is now available in our Hive and at major retailers, including Amazon.
Publisher - Dr. Placzek leads BumbleBee Notes Music Publishing as Chief Publisher. BBN MUS Pub recently published the two-volume Gajdoš Double Bass School, featuring several solo double bass pieces by Miloslav Gajdoš. Listen to a wonderful recording of Gajdoš’s famous "Solo in A minor," published in the second volume and accompanied by the composer’s critical notes.
Both volumes are available in our Hive and at major retailers, including Amazon.
Composer - Since his youth, Roman believed that the truly honest interpretation of great or small pieces comes from a deeper understanding of the composer’s process. That is why he attempted to compose as soon as he got a grasp on the fundamentals of music theory. This led to several chamber music compositions composed in a neo-romantic, very personal style. Drawing on his interpretive art and his personal understanding of the structure of his own works, he helped define and refine his approach to interpreting other composers’ works.
Dumka is available in our Hive as well as at major retailers, including Amazon, as our special POD edition.
Conductor, Administrator, and Music Entrepreneur
Dr. Roman welcomes everyone to the NC Bach Festival concerts, shares the organization's mission, and introduces the festival’s program.
Dr. Placzek serves as Choir Director at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Syracuse, is a member of the Nezhdanova–Placzek Duo, and is founder and CEO of BumbleBee Notes Inc. From 2016 to 2019, he revitalized the North Carolina Bach Festival as president of the board and executive director, expanding its programming and, with Dr. Elena Nezhdanova, reimagining its youth program. While there, Dr. Placzek also served as music director of the NC Bach Festival Ensemble, a small orchestra of some of the Triangle area's (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) best instrumentalists and top students.
He also founded the Golden Mountain Summer Chamber Music Festival in Zlaté Hory, Czech Republic (2001–2006), a program led by his not-for-profit organization, Golden Mountain Chamber Ensemble Music Academy, which he established in Amherst, MA. In addition to coaching, performing at the festival concerts, and leading the program, Dr. Roman conducted the festival chamber orchestra. For further insights, you can read an insider’s reflections about the program by following this link.
Dr. Placzek leads interdisciplinary, cross-cultural projects supporting inclusive and sustainable initiatives in repertoire, education, and community building. As CEO and co-owner, he oversees BumbleBee Notes Inc.’s global publishing operations and serves as chief publisher and Editor-In-Chief. Since 2025, he has served on the board of REV Theatre Company.
Entrepreneur - In Summer 2015, Roman had to leave the United States briefly to resolve his immigration status, which led to his obtaining his Extraordinary Ability Visa and, consequently, the Extraordinary Ability green card. During his time in Denmark, he was a member of the Odense Symphony Orchestra’s cello section and stayed with the world-renowned marimba player Kai Stensgaard in Odense. Kai recently arranged Piazzolla’s Libertango for saxophone and marimba. Roman took the saxophone part and adapted it for the cello. This video combines a studio recording of Roman and Kai, made at Kai’s home recording studio, the short film Kai produced for the video, and the video from the event organized by Roman. Several members of the Odense Symphony, together with Czech dancer Renata Vynikalova, who lives in Norway, participated in the event. Initially told it would take months to secure a venue and organize a concert, Dr. Roman, with the help of his new friends, pulled it off in a few weeks in a new country. Dr. Roman cannot stay still and loves to organize and engage musicians, institutions, and audiences anywhere, creating unforgettable cultural experiences.
Conductor - The silver medalist from the William Kapell and the Naumburg International Piano Competitions, the bronze medal recipient at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow and Dr. Roman's friend, Mr. Wiliam Wolfram, with the NCBF Ensemble and Dr. Roman Placzek conducting, performing J.S. Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056, at the North Carolina Bach Festival 2017 at the Boesendorfer Hall in Ruggero Piano, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Administrator, Director, Coach, Guest Artist – When Dr. Plazek became director of the North Carolina Bach Festival in 2016, he faced the challenge of restoring its not-for-profit status and reviving its success. Ultimately, this was accomplished with the help of his excellent board of directors, that is assembled, but the true highlight for him was working with young aspiring artists who, through the NCBF youth program, developed and shared their talent and energy, such as two very young violinists, Jessica Zhang and Luke Henderson, in Bach's Vivace from the D minor double concerto, assisted here by the Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo.