Benjamin Marmen is a Halifax-based cellist originally from Saint John, NB. He has resided in Halifax since 2010, when he began studying cello with Shimon Walt at Dalhousie University, and has since established himself as a versatile voice on the Halifax music scene.
Beginning his studies with Sonja Adams in Saint John, in his high school years he served as a substitute cellist with Symphony New Brunswick, and also performed with provincial and national youth orchestras. In programs such as the prestigious Young Artist Program at the NAC, Le Domaine Forget, and Scotia Festival, he has received private instruction from acclaimed musicians and teachers such as Philippe Mueller, Hans Jorgen Jensen, Denise Djokic, Paul Marleyn, and Thomas Wiebe.
Since the Spring of 2012, Benjamin has performed regularly as a substitute cellist with Symphony Nova Scotia, as well as being contracted for short-term periods. He has previously served as cello faculty for the Halifax Music Co-op, and now continues to teach privately. He has been featured in Scotia Festivals Chamber Players chamber series, as well as with St. Cecilia Concert Series with his acclaimed string quartet, Quartet la Corde.
Outside the realm of Classical music Benjamin has found many musical interests, and continuously strives for creative versatility, especially in Halifax diverse music scene. He performed with Natalie MacMaster at the 2013 ECMAs, and has been the featured cellist on various local artists albums, such as Maxim Cormiers title, Maxim Cormier, which was a 2013 Music NS Music Award nominee. He played on film soundtracks by local composers Blain Morris and Josh Cruddas, as well as in Halifax director Dillon Garlands short film, The Sister. Through his interest in new music and improvisation, and thanks to suddenlyLISTEN and Upstream Music Association, he was involved in events such as improvised concerts by Montreals Musique Actuelle, workshops with composers and improvisers such as Danielle Palardy Roger, Jean Derome, and Jolle Landre, as well as being featured in Halifax Open Waters Festival.