Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble

A Native Oklahoman, cellist Cody Byrum has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally, including performances in Nice, France and Loja, Ecuador. While residing in Oklahoma Cody won multiple competitions, including the Buttram Music Competition for Cello and Chamber Music, Oklahoma Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, and the Donna Turner Smith Competition.   

Currently serving as the principal cellist of the Billings Symphony, Cody has additionally performed in orchestras such as the Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and the Ft. Smith Symphony. Cody has also appeared as a soloist with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, and the Billings Symphony. 

Cody is also an avid chamber musician, regularly performing in variety of ensembles. He was a guest artist with the Billings Symphony for a performance of works composed exclusively in Montana, and while at Indiana University, Cody performed in numerous doctoral chamber recitals, as well as multiple faculty-student recitals.

An active educator, Cody maintains a private studio and is also the cello instructor at Stafford Music Academy. He has been a guest clinician in schools around the country, and he has also been a part of Indiana University’s Fairview Violin Project, run by pedagogues Mimi Zweig & Brenda Brenner. Cody was previously a teaching assistant at the Fresno Summer Opera Orchestra Academy, and he was also recently cello faculty at the Sinfín Armonía music festival in Ecuador.  

Cody received his Bachelor of Music with distinction from the University of Oklahoma, and his Master of Music from Indiana University. He is currently finishing his Doctor of Music degree at Indiana University, researching the chamber music of Ernö Dohnányi. Cody’s primary teachers include Jonathan Ruck and Emilio Colón, with additional instructors including Eric Kim, Lynn Harrell, Thomas Lowenheim, Austin Hartman, and Mark Holloway. 

Cody lives in Bloomington, Indiana with his partner, Chase, and their dog, Yuki.