Jacqueline Pegis is an emerging cellist and teacher based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Having recently finished her Master’s degree in Cello Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Richard Weiss, Pegis is well trained in orchestral playing and served as CIM’s principal cellist on numerous programs.  During her time at CIM, Pegis was the recipient of a generous loan of a 1923 Carl Becker cello from the Colburn Foundation. Previously, Pegis achieved her BM in Cello Performance from University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, where she studied under Ilya Finkelshteyn, and served as CCM’s principal cellist on many programs. Additionally, Pegis has had a private coaching with members of the Kronos Quartet during their CCM residency, and was listed as principal cellist and soloist for the CCM Carnegie Hall tour where she performed ‘Something Beautiful’ with American actress and singer Liz Callaway. Pegis has had several years of teaching experience, including her summer as a faculty member of the Encore Coda Music Festival in Sweden, Maine where she was a private teacher, chamber and sectional coach, and performer. In August of 2026 Pegis was appointed principal cellist of the Lima Symphony Orchestra, and she currently teaches private lessons at the Piano Preparatory School in Beavercreek, Ohio.