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.
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
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 fun. 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 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 Roberta Flack, Corin Redgrave, Osvaldo Golijov, Nadja Salerno‑Sonnenberg, and Konstantin Lifschitz. He has also participated in masterclasses with Yo‑Yo Ma, Nathaniel Rosen, and Carlos Prieto. He 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, where he performed with his duo and several national horsehead fiddle virtuosos.
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 is from the Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo's 2018 tour of Germany and the Czech Republic. Specifically from the concert in Dresden, Germany, in June 2018.
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.
Educator
the "quote…"
“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, 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)
the "quote…"
“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, 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.
Pictures From Masterclasses in China (2025)
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 ever forgets.
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)
"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)
A passionate educator, Dr. Placzek is the author of the groundbreaking cello method The Physiology of Cello Playing, known as the BumbleBee Method. He has taught at Wells College, UNCG, Shenandoah Conservatory, and UMass Amherst, developing innovative curricula and receiving recognition for ensemble and chamber coaching. He trains students using an organic method grounded in the physiology of cello playing, enhancing their technical skill, expressive artistry, curiosity, critical listening, guided improvisation, inter‑arts collaboration, and research‑informed performance awareness. Dr. Placzek's students have performed with renowned ensembles, attended institutes like Tanglewood and Meadowmount, won chamber festival awards, and premiered new works. Internationally he has led masterclasses at the Janáček Conservatory in the Czech Republic, North London Collegiate School in Great Britain, and universities in Inner Mongolia, China.
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.
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 is the chief publisher of BumbleBee Notes Music Publishing, where he is responsible for the design of BBN MP editions, editing, translating, and adapting contracted works, and running the division. As a composer, he penned and published several chamber music compositions, including 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 several other chamber ensembles). All these compositions were previously published by Brixton Publications and are now part of the Legacy Edition of BumbleBee Notes Music Publishing. He also creates arrangements for various chamber ensembles. His professional publications include The Pedagogical Value of Three Sonatas for Two Cellos, Op. 43 by Bernhard Romberg (LAP Lambert, 2015). His discography includes the Golden Mountain Chamber Ensemble's debut CD; his solo cello appears on recordings spanning genres from folk to symphonic repertoire. Scores and releases are available through BumbleBee Notes Music Publishing, major streaming platforms, and retail outlets.
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.
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.
Conductor, Administrator, and Music Entrepreneur
As conductor and arts administrator, Dr. Placzek is Choir Director at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Syracuse, a member of the Nezhdanova–Placzek Duo, and founder/CEO of BumbleBee Notes Inc. As the president of the board and executive director from 2016-2019, he revitalized the North Carolina Bach Festival’s nonprofit status, expanded its programming, and, together with Dr. Elena Nezhdanova, reimagined its youth program. He also founded the Golden Mountain Summer Chamber Music Festival (Zlaté Hory, Czech Republic, 2001–2006). As the CEO and co-owner of the company, Dr. Roman oversees BumbleBee Notes Inc.’s global publishing activities while serving as the chief publisher. Since 2025, he has served on the board of REV Theatre Company. Dr. Placzeks leads interdisciplinary, cross‑cultural projects that promote inclusive, sustainable initiatives in repertoire, education, and community building.
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.