Emil and Dariel

Emil and Dariel are a cellist duo act from Season 9 of America's Got Talent.

Background
Although in their early teens, brothers Emil and Dariel are making a name for themselves around the world as the youngest American cello virtuoso cross-over duo to be featured on a national stage. Their goal is to cross over multiple genres of music and implement their classical background in transcending inconceivable barriers known to a classical instrument. Emil and Dariel would like to continue the tradition of finding new and undiscovered techniques in playing the cello and taking it to new heights. They are following in the footsteps of the greatest cross-over cellists in becoming the youngest American rock cellists to have ever been discovered.

The brothers come from several generations of classical musicians and their extensive classical training comes from their grandfather, Leonid Rubanchik, Principal cellist, cello Professor and a student of Piatigorsky. They began playing the cello when they were four (4) years old while being home-schooled. Their long hours of practice were under the strict guidance of their grandfather who instilled hard work ethics, dedication, and passion in the pursuit of their musical career. They are extremely grateful to their grandfather for inspiring them to play the cello and for his selfless dedication in teaching them. They also credit their abilities to years of intense practice, patience, perseverance, and disciplined commitment to their music.

In April of 2013, Emil and Dariel got the surprise of a lifetime when they were alerted that internationally renowned performers, 2CELLOS, had featured the boys’ YouTube video on their Facebook and Twitter pages, heaped praise on the boys’ performance, and endowed them with the designation of “2CELLOS Junior". Within only a few months, this announcement led to something much greater…. Emil and Dariel’s dream came true when 2CELLOS invited them to appear as guest artists during their U.S. tour in Orlando and Tampa.  Ever since then, Emil and Dariel have been unstoppable in their quest to share their talent and passion. 1

Audition
Emil and Dariel's audition in Episode 905 consisted of performing a cover of 2CELLOS' arrangement of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" on the cello together. Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending the duo to Judgment Week.



Judgment Week
Emil and Dariel were selected in Episode 907 as one of eight acts to advance straight to the Quarterfinals without performing in Judgment Week.