Ross Bello (b. 1999) is a Brooklyn-based composer and percussionist whose work explores the intersection of experimentalism and classical tradition, drawing on a wide harmonic palette and often centered around existential themes, his music seeks to balance contrast and cohesion; light and dark, unity and separation, complexity and clarity. His music has been praised as being mysterious, steeped in passion, and unapologetically eclectic.

Bello’s music has been recognized for its emotional depth and structural clarity. His string quartet Duality of Being was performed at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center. As a composer-performer, he is set to attend the 2025 Mostly Modern Festival.

Driven by a deep desire to connect, Bello creates music that is not only personally expressive but also deeply collaborative. He believes in writing music for specific people, embracing a deep desire to create and connect. Performers are central to his creative process, and he crafts works that are both challenging and gratifying to play. He has previously collaborated with Ekmeles, Vision Quartet, violist Ariana Mascari, and flautist Lucy Rubin, among others.

Ross has extensive performance experience in a wide variety of ensembles, including wind symphonies, orchestras, percussion ensembles, chamber ensembles, and more. Notably, Ross was the 2021 Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition winner at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, performing David R. Gillingham’s 2nd Marimba Concerto. 

Originally from Lowell, Massachusetts, Bello is a classically trained musician with a Bachelor of Music in Composition for New Media and a secondary degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he studied composition with Dr. Brandon Vaccaro. He earned his Master of Music in Classical Composition from the Manhattan School of Music under the mentorship of Susan Botti.