Oliver Mar is a 15-year-old New Zealand-born cellist who relocated to New York in 2022 after being accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College program, where he studies with Dr. Clara Minhye Kim. 

Oliver’s playing is distinguished by its rich tone, emotional depth, and technical precision – qualities he skillfully uses to create intimate connections with his audiences. Oliver was invited to the National Public Radio, which is America’s largest national platform for young classically trained musicians for an interview and recording with renowned pianist, Peter Dugan.

In 2025, Oliver was the youngest finalist and the bronze medalist at the 50th Stulberg International Competition. He has also received top prizes in several notable competitions, including the Camerata Artists International Competition, the Lancaster Symphony Rising Stars Competition, the Bravura Philharmonic Concerto Competition, the Island Symphony Young Artists Competition, the Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and the International Grande Music Competition in New York.

At 13, Oliver made his debut with the Orchestra of Camerata New Jersey, and has since performed with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Bravura Philharmonic, Island Symphony Orchestra, Sound Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra.

Oliver attended the 2024 Morningside Music Bridge summer program at the New England Conservatory, and the Perlman Music Program in the summer of 2025, where he studied with renowned teachers to continue growing both technically and artistically.

Oliver is also an emerging composer, with works performed by members of the New York Philharmonic and featured on WQXR, New York’s classical music station.