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![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_17807f0e1073474580d5b1f4f9f8b888~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/80f3fe_17807f0e1073474580d5b1f4f9f8b888~mv2.jpg)
Festival participants 2022:
![eb08e3d0-dddd-4631-a3c6-431af7c5305d.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_e69ffb27af9141979fdfe44a6716feb5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,fp_0.61_0.26,q_90/80f3fe_e69ffb27af9141979fdfe44a6716feb5~mv2.jpg)
Alonso Restrepo, 24, Colombia
He began his musical studies at the Comfenalco Cartagena arts school, Colombia, at the age of 10. In 2011, at 14 years of age, he was awarded a scholarship to go to a summer music camp in Richmond, Virginia and the same year he won a scholarship to pursue university studies at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. In 2019 he completed his university studies in music with an emphasis on cello performance and industrial engineering. That same year, he received a scholarship to begin his Master's degree in cello performance at Louisiana State University, where he graduated in 2021.
Alonso Restrepo has been an active member of several symphonies in the United States such as; Shereveport Symphony, Texarkana symphony, Monroe Symphony, Longview Symphony among others.
He currently works as a cello teacher at the Comfenalco arts school, Cartagena.
Alonso Restrepo has been an active member of several symphonies in the United States such as; Shereveport Symphony, Texarkana symphony, Monroe Symphony, Longview Symphony among others.
He currently works as a cello teacher at the Comfenalco arts school, Cartagena.
![Nancy Olivares.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_7daa76164cff4ce986bddafaa22d0499~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_7daa76164cff4ce986bddafaa22d0499~mv2.jpg)
Nancy Olivares, 21, Mexico
Nancy Olivares, Mexican Cellist. He began his cello studies at the age of 8 with Mtra. Temenuzhka Ostreva at the ESMDM. She was the winner of first place in the "VI National Cello Competition, 2021" (professional category). Also, semi-finalist in the Young Classical Musician Competition 2022. In 2019 she participated in the Orchestra of the Americas, in the "Mexico Crescendo Tour" He was a member of OSIM.
In 2021 and 2022 she was selected for the Azteca Symphony Orchestra. She has participated as a guest in the OSUANL, the FIRC Symphony Orchestra, OCUANL, the Orquesta del México Opera Studio, etc. He has attended various festivals such as the Lake International Festival, Leon International Cello Festival, Guadalajara International Music Festival, Cellisimo Virtual Festival, etc., where he has taken master classes with various teachers; Edison Pashko, Roman Jablonski, Santiago Cañon, Jacob Spahn, Daxun Zhang, Jesús Castro-Balbi, John Henry Crawford, Michal Shein, among others.
He is in his last year of bachelor's degree at the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey, where he is principal cellist in the Symphony Orchestra and the La Super Philharmonic. In 2021 he obtained a "Graduate Artist's Certificate in Orchestral Performance & Digital Creation" from the Academy of the Orchestra of the Americas.
In 2021 and 2022 she was selected for the Azteca Symphony Orchestra. She has participated as a guest in the OSUANL, the FIRC Symphony Orchestra, OCUANL, the Orquesta del México Opera Studio, etc. He has attended various festivals such as the Lake International Festival, Leon International Cello Festival, Guadalajara International Music Festival, Cellisimo Virtual Festival, etc., where he has taken master classes with various teachers; Edison Pashko, Roman Jablonski, Santiago Cañon, Jacob Spahn, Daxun Zhang, Jesús Castro-Balbi, John Henry Crawford, Michal Shein, among others.
He is in his last year of bachelor's degree at the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey, where he is principal cellist in the Symphony Orchestra and the La Super Philharmonic. In 2021 he obtained a "Graduate Artist's Certificate in Orchestral Performance & Digital Creation" from the Academy of the Orchestra of the Americas.
![Diana Avendaño.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_ea8ad613b93b48bca0d77131bca48cd6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_306,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_ea8ad613b93b48bca0d77131bca48cd6~mv2.jpg)
Diana Avendaño, 15, Venezuela
He was born on November 3, 2006 in Mérida-Venezuela. He has received musical training since he was six years old, a passion that grows from his home in a classical and popular-academic field, dedicating himself mainly to the cello. She has been a student of teachers Lcda, Lekha Días and Dr. Germán Marcano.
In 2019 she experienced being the leading voice of the group that bears her name Juliet Music, with whom she hopes to continue performing.
In 2019 she experienced being the leading voice of the group that bears her name Juliet Music, with whom she hopes to continue performing.
![Julieta Ata_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_148629fe882547038278975934c9c1e4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_148629fe882547038278975934c9c1e4~mv2.jpg)
Julieta Ata Nieto, 18, Mexico
He began his musical education in the Esperanza Azteca Orchestras and Choirs project, in the Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra Puebla in 2011. His Violoncello studies began with the teacher Sharon Sánchez Nava, then he had the teacher Susana Torres Nava as a teacher.
In 2013 she was selected to be part of the Esperanza Azteca National Symphony Orchestra. In the years 2015-2016 he was part of the same orchestra. In 2016 he began receiving classes from teacher Nicolás Capilla Sánchez. In 2018 she began her studies at the Esperanza Azteca Higher Institute of Music, that same year she was the winner of 2nd place category 3 in the National Violoncello competition of the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey. In 2019 he participated in the Cello Tapatío festival that took place in Querétaro. In the years 2017 - 2020 he was part of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. In 2020, he actively participates in Masterclass with teacher Marcio Carneiro. In 2021 he was a member of Sinfónica Azteca.
He has received classes from teachers Marcio Carneiro, William Molina, Álvaro Bitrán, Catherine Tunell, Mirna Lazic, Mario Alarcón, Nicolás Capilla Sánchez, among others.
He is currently a student at the Esperanza Azteca Higher Institute of Music with a specialty in Violoncello.
In 2013 she was selected to be part of the Esperanza Azteca National Symphony Orchestra. In the years 2015-2016 he was part of the same orchestra. In 2016 he began receiving classes from teacher Nicolás Capilla Sánchez. In 2018 she began her studies at the Esperanza Azteca Higher Institute of Music, that same year she was the winner of 2nd place category 3 in the National Violoncello competition of the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey. In 2019 he participated in the Cello Tapatío festival that took place in Querétaro. In the years 2017 - 2020 he was part of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. In 2020, he actively participates in Masterclass with teacher Marcio Carneiro. In 2021 he was a member of Sinfónica Azteca.
He has received classes from teachers Marcio Carneiro, William Molina, Álvaro Bitrán, Catherine Tunell, Mirna Lazic, Mario Alarcón, Nicolás Capilla Sánchez, among others.
He is currently a student at the Esperanza Azteca Higher Institute of Music with a specialty in Violoncello.
![Camila Vargas.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_cc762079ec4a463c85c7fe98f1d52d28~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_cc762079ec4a463c85c7fe98f1d52d28~mv2.jpg)
Camila Vargas, 20, Venezuela/Spain
He was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where he was part of the orchestra system from 2007 to 2018, participating in various orchestras within it, such as the Regional Orchestra of Caracas, the Metropolitan Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of Caracas.
In 2018 he moved with his family to the city of Madrid, and that same year he entered the Federico Moreno Torroba Professional Conservatory, where he completed his professional and high school studies in 2021.
In the sixth professional year he received the cello prize at the conservatory. In addition, he was part of JORCAM from 2019 to 2022, and is currently part of the Carlos Cruz Diez Orchestra as assistant principal and is finishing his studies in Musical Production at the Microfusa school.
In 2018 he moved with his family to the city of Madrid, and that same year he entered the Federico Moreno Torroba Professional Conservatory, where he completed his professional and high school studies in 2021.
In the sixth professional year he received the cello prize at the conservatory. In addition, he was part of JORCAM from 2019 to 2022, and is currently part of the Carlos Cruz Diez Orchestra as assistant principal and is finishing his studies in Musical Production at the Microfusa school.
![PHOTO-2021-06-08-14-20-44.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_df845ecd6e22481da5d2b807b1185506~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_306,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_df845ecd6e22481da5d2b807b1185506~mv2.jpg)
Victor Castillo, 19, Venezuela
He was born in the city of Maracaibo, Zulia State, where from an early age and is currently studying music at the José Luis Paz Conservatory, within the System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela and Business Administration at the Rafael Urdaneta University .
Throughout his studies, he has been marked by the different ways of expressing and understanding music, different visions that he has been able to know and appreciate from the hand of his teachers and fellow students. Currently, he is studying in the chair of maestro Asdrubal Castillo, in addition to performing as a cellist in the Zuliana Youth Orchestra and the Philharmonic of the Rafael Urdaneta University.
He has participated in other programs, courses and festivals such as; the Zuliano Violoncello Festival, the Cellísimo Festival in its first edition and the European Festival of Young Soloists in Venezuela, and has received master classes with teachers such as; Francys Vazquez, Leandro Bandres, Carlos Arias, Enmanuel Acurero, Christoph Croisé and Luca Franzetti.
Throughout his studies, he has been marked by the different ways of expressing and understanding music, different visions that he has been able to know and appreciate from the hand of his teachers and fellow students. Currently, he is studying in the chair of maestro Asdrubal Castillo, in addition to performing as a cellist in the Zuliana Youth Orchestra and the Philharmonic of the Rafael Urdaneta University.
He has participated in other programs, courses and festivals such as; the Zuliano Violoncello Festival, the Cellísimo Festival in its first edition and the European Festival of Young Soloists in Venezuela, and has received master classes with teachers such as; Francys Vazquez, Leandro Bandres, Carlos Arias, Enmanuel Acurero, Christoph Croisé and Luca Franzetti.
![Angel Bustillos.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_cb87293153904463a42791c83530ef4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_cb87293153904463a42791c83530ef4f~mv2.jpg)
Angel Bustillos, 19, Mexico
Cellist originally from Chihuahua. He began playing at the age of 12 in Esperanza Azteca. He participated in several festivals such as the International Cello Festival in Mexico “CFest”, Chihuahua International Festival, Academy of Music, León International Cello Festival, Chihuahua New Art Festival, in the V and VI Monterrey National Cello Competition winning second place in 2018, and first place in addition to the award for best performance of a Mexican piece in 2021.
He has played with orchestras such as Sinfónica Azteca, the “Super” Philharmonic Orchestra of the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Binational Youth Philharmonic Orchestra “The Bridge México-USA”, Esperanza Azteca State Symphony Orchestra, the Arewá Youth Camerata and the “Sul-Ponticello” Cello Octet.
He has also taken master classes with Marc Coppey, John-Henry Crawford, Jesús Castro-Balbi, Noémie Raymond-Friset, Leonhard Roczek, Francisco Vila, Alvaro Bitran, Yeesun Kim, Diego Carpinteyro, Gustavo Carpinteyro, William Molina, among others. He is currently studying music at the Monterrey Higher School of Music and Dance under the professorship of teacher Temenuzhka Ostreva.
He has played with orchestras such as Sinfónica Azteca, the “Super” Philharmonic Orchestra of the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Binational Youth Philharmonic Orchestra “The Bridge México-USA”, Esperanza Azteca State Symphony Orchestra, the Arewá Youth Camerata and the “Sul-Ponticello” Cello Octet.
He has also taken master classes with Marc Coppey, John-Henry Crawford, Jesús Castro-Balbi, Noémie Raymond-Friset, Leonhard Roczek, Francisco Vila, Alvaro Bitran, Yeesun Kim, Diego Carpinteyro, Gustavo Carpinteyro, William Molina, among others. He is currently studying music at the Monterrey Higher School of Music and Dance under the professorship of teacher Temenuzhka Ostreva.
![Luis Sanchez.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_2f020a89c4784918b30d135b4bf94db3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_2f020a89c4784918b30d135b4bf94db3~mv2.jpg)
Luis Sánchez, 20, Venezuela
Cello student in the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela. He began his musical studies at the age of 6 with teachers Juan Carlos Chourio and Javier Peraza.
In 2015, he obtained a place in the National Violoncello Chair of Venezuela, with Maestro Valmore Nieves. He participated in the 1st Ibero-American Violoncello Festival, with Germán Marcano and Horacio Contreras. In 2020 he participated in the "Tocar y Luchar" contest in which he managed to reach the semifinals of said contest and the following year he was accepted and participated in the Cellisimo Virtual Festival. He has received master classes with teachers such as: Friedrich Thiele, Horacio Contreras, Jobine Siekman, Edgar Calderón, Luca Franzetti, Germán Marcano, Sebastian Braun, Daniel Arias, Isaac Casal.
He has participated in the "Franco Medina" Symphony Orchestra, the Lara Youth Symphony Orchestra, the "Inocente Carreño" Youth Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, the "Juan José Landaeta" Symphony Orchestra. He has had the pleasure of being directed by great Masters such as Christian Vázquez, Rodolfo Sanglimbeni, Gustavo Dudamel, among others.
Currently, he works as cellist of the "Juan José Landaeta" Symphony Orchestra and receives classes with Maestro Ricardo Corniel.
In 2015, he obtained a place in the National Violoncello Chair of Venezuela, with Maestro Valmore Nieves. He participated in the 1st Ibero-American Violoncello Festival, with Germán Marcano and Horacio Contreras. In 2020 he participated in the "Tocar y Luchar" contest in which he managed to reach the semifinals of said contest and the following year he was accepted and participated in the Cellisimo Virtual Festival. He has received master classes with teachers such as: Friedrich Thiele, Horacio Contreras, Jobine Siekman, Edgar Calderón, Luca Franzetti, Germán Marcano, Sebastian Braun, Daniel Arias, Isaac Casal.
He has participated in the "Franco Medina" Symphony Orchestra, the Lara Youth Symphony Orchestra, the "Inocente Carreño" Youth Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, the "Juan José Landaeta" Symphony Orchestra. He has had the pleasure of being directed by great Masters such as Christian Vázquez, Rodolfo Sanglimbeni, Gustavo Dudamel, among others.
Currently, he works as cellist of the "Juan José Landaeta" Symphony Orchestra and receives classes with Maestro Ricardo Corniel.
![Julia Osorio.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_3d74a007dede402093b3b669ba99fbc6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_306,h_306,fp_0.46_0.2,q_90/80f3fe_3d74a007dede402093b3b669ba99fbc6~mv2.jpg)
Julia Osorio, 15, Venezuela
![Adan Caldera.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_f35aceade7f347d7bce3cc5cf015a5ec~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_f35aceade7f347d7bce3cc5cf015a5ec~mv2.jpg)
Adán Caldera, 21, Venezuela/Panama
He began his musical studies at the age of 4 in Venezuela. He studied for 10 years at the Emil Friedmanl School. At the age of 11, he is one of the 10 young cellists accepted into the Latin American Cello Academy in El Sistema. He moved to Panama in 2014, where he continued his studies with teacher Isaac Casal. He participated as principal cello player in the Gonzalo Brenes Philharmonic, Ibero-American Youth Symphony Orchestra, and as a guest musician in the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Panama.
He has participated in festivals such as Festival Alfredo de Saint Malo, Longy School of Music's El Sistema Summer Academy, CelloBello Audition Preparation Workshop and Virtual Summer Cello Festival, among others. He was a winner in the Alfredo de Saint Malo Soloist Competition 2019. Among his recent collaborations are the premiere of “Das Bauchem” and “Nos Volveremos a Donde” by the composer Iván Périz together with Sofía Figuera Lairet, and the Gil brothers.
His formal studies began at the Emil Friedman School with teachers such as Elisabeta Grosz and Mauricio López, and continued at the Sinfonía Concertante Foundation of Panama under Isaac Casal. As of 2020, he begins private studies with the soloist Sébastien Hurtaud and is currently studying under the tutorship of maestro Dmitry Kouzov at Oberlin Conservatory, where he has been studying for a Bachelor's Degree in Musical Performance since September 2021. He plays a cello gifted by the Colombian luthier Olialín Olarte , in recognition of his performance during the Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival 2019.
He has participated in festivals such as Festival Alfredo de Saint Malo, Longy School of Music's El Sistema Summer Academy, CelloBello Audition Preparation Workshop and Virtual Summer Cello Festival, among others. He was a winner in the Alfredo de Saint Malo Soloist Competition 2019. Among his recent collaborations are the premiere of “Das Bauchem” and “Nos Volveremos a Donde” by the composer Iván Périz together with Sofía Figuera Lairet, and the Gil brothers.
His formal studies began at the Emil Friedman School with teachers such as Elisabeta Grosz and Mauricio López, and continued at the Sinfonía Concertante Foundation of Panama under Isaac Casal. As of 2020, he begins private studies with the soloist Sébastien Hurtaud and is currently studying under the tutorship of maestro Dmitry Kouzov at Oberlin Conservatory, where he has been studying for a Bachelor's Degree in Musical Performance since September 2021. He plays a cello gifted by the Colombian luthier Olialín Olarte , in recognition of his performance during the Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival 2019.
![Karisma Oquendo.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_ac9aaff03a35458b9eb0acb6fbcda9b1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_ac9aaff03a35458b9eb0acb6fbcda9b1~mv2.jpg)
Karisma Oquendo, 17, Venezuela
He was born on December 7, 2004 in the City of Maracaibo-Venezuela. He began his musical studies at the age of 3 in the Musical Kindergarten of the José Luis Paz Conservatory. At the age of 8 he selected the cello as his main instrument. He has participated in several important musical experiences such as; Longy Summer Camp 2020 was part of the successful Guinness Record attempt for "The Largest Orchestra in the World" carried out by the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela.
Currently he continues his university studies at the Experimental Faculty of Art of the School of Music of the University of Zulia, where he is an active part of the Rafael Urdaneta Symphony Orchestra and belongs to the Cello Ensemble of the same, in addition, he is a member of the Ensemble Ad Libitum Symphonic, a project carried out by 7 renowned musicians from the city.
Currently he continues his university studies at the Experimental Faculty of Art of the School of Music of the University of Zulia, where he is an active part of the Rafael Urdaneta Symphony Orchestra and belongs to the Cello Ensemble of the same, in addition, he is a member of the Ensemble Ad Libitum Symphonic, a project carried out by 7 renowned musicians from the city.
![Joel Chavez.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/80f3fe_d623810b449d415392abb8594ed04d02~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_306,h_306,q_90/80f3fe_d623810b449d415392abb8594ed04d02~mv2.jpg)
Joel Chávez Velázquez, 24, Mexico
Originally from the State of Colima, born on February 10, 1998, he began his professional cello studies at the University Institute of Fine Arts (IUBA) at the age of 13 with his current teacher Viktoriya Dobrushkina. Since his beginnings at the IUBA, he managed to gain a great reputation as a performer by participating in numerous concerts of excellence, young talents, educational concerts, charity concerts, autism centers, hospitals, Mexican music galas and musical dissemination that the institute has organized.
During his training at the University of Colima he received classes from Dr. Gleb Dobrushkin (Chamber Music), Mtro. Oleksander Yanyev (Musical Ensembles), Mtro. Oleg Vassiliev (Orchestral Repertoire), Mtra. Tatiana Zatina (Orchestra).
In December 2016 he obtained “Third Place” in the fourth category of the IV National Cello Competition in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo León and in the V edition of this same competition in December 2018 he was awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the professional category. With these awards he earned a place on the Historical Honor Roll of the University Institute of Fine Arts of the University of Colima and was invited by the rector of the institution José Eduardo Hernández Nava to have an audience as the university pride of this greatest house of studies.
During his training at the University of Colima he received classes from Dr. Gleb Dobrushkin (Chamber Music), Mtro. Oleksander Yanyev (Musical Ensembles), Mtro. Oleg Vassiliev (Orchestral Repertoire), Mtra. Tatiana Zatina (Orchestra).
In December 2016 he obtained “Third Place” in the fourth category of the IV National Cello Competition in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo León and in the V edition of this same competition in December 2018 he was awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the professional category. With these awards he earned a place on the Historical Honor Roll of the University Institute of Fine Arts of the University of Colima and was invited by the rector of the institution José Eduardo Hernández Nava to have an audience as the university pride of this greatest house of studies.
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