Principal cellist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since 2009, Ilya Finkelshteyn was praised by The Washington Post as a "complete master of his instrument," and has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. In 2002 he became Principal Cello of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Prior to that, Mr. Finkelshteyn was a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for five seasons.

Prize-winner of the Brahms International Competition, Concertino Praga, Russian Cello Competition, the WAMSO International Competition, the Aspen Concerto Competition and the Chautauqua Concerto Competition, Mr. Finkelshteyn has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. As a winner of the Juilliard Concerto Competition, Mr. Finkelshteyn was a soloist with the Juilliard Orchestra on its tours to France and Bermuda.

Ilya Finkelshteyn started his education at the Special Music School at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. After immigrating to the United States, he studied at the University of Minnesota School of Music and the Juilliard School. Mr. Finkelshteyn plays a cello by Domenico Montagnana circa 1730 courtesy of Cincinnatti Symphony Orchestra.