Cellists are musicians who perform on the cello, a stringed instrument of the violin family. Other words that can be used as synonyms for cellists include violoncellists, cellists-in-chief, cello players, and cello soloists. A violoncellist is a more formal term for a cellist, and it is often used in classical music circles. The term cellist-in-chief is used to describe the principal cellist of an orchestra or other ensemble. Cello players and cello soloists are more general terms that can be used to describe anyone who plays the cello or performs a solo on the instrument. Regardless of the term used, cellists are skilled musicians who bring beautiful and enchanting music to life.