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Participants Cellisimo Festival 2024
Ariam Fernandez, 23, Venezuela
Ariam Fernández began his cello studies at the age of 9 in the Santa Cruz de Mora nucleus of the Mérida State belonging to El Sistema in Venezuela. At the age of 15, he joined the Mérida Regional Youth Orchestra and later, at the beginning of 2019, he competed for a position in the Mérida State Symphony Orchestra and in 2022 he obtained the position of assistant in the cello section.
In 2018, he continued his musical studies at the Universidad de los Andes within the chair of Professor Clara Rodríguez, where he is currently in his 4th year of the Bachelor of Music - Mention Instrumental Performance. He has participated in master classes with the teachers German Marcano, Johan Stern, Michal Shein and in international festivals such as Festival Cellisimo 2023 and Festival Ilumina 2024.
In addition, since 2021 he has been part of Camerata Strings360, a Mérida group that is responsible for promoting chamber music, premiering works at the state level.
In 2018, he continued his musical studies at the Universidad de los Andes within the chair of Professor Clara Rodríguez, where he is currently in his 4th year of the Bachelor of Music - Mention Instrumental Performance. He has participated in master classes with the teachers German Marcano, Johan Stern, Michal Shein and in international festivals such as Festival Cellisimo 2023 and Festival Ilumina 2024.
In addition, since 2021 he has been part of Camerata Strings360, a Mérida group that is responsible for promoting chamber music, premiering works at the state level.
Daniel Suárez Nordet, 18, Mexico
Daniel Suárez Nordet is a young 18-year-old Cuban cellist. He began his cello studies at the Alejandro García "Caturla" music school in Cuba at the age of 8, being selected from among more than 200 participants.
At the age of 9 he was selected to continue his studies in Mexico at the Carmen Romano school, also known as the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, where his teacher since then has been Marieta Ivanova.
Daniel was the winner of first place in the 2016 National Cello Competition, third place in the 2018 edition and second place in the 2023 edition. He has participated in the 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 editions of the OSIM. Recently winner of the 2024 ESMDM soloist competition where he performed E. Elgar's cello and orchestra concerto in E minor 1 and 2 mov.
He has received masterclasses from great cellists such as Marie Ythier, Álvaro Bitrán, Steven Isserlis and Santiago Cañon Valencia.
Daniel is currently in his 5th year of a cello degree at the ESMDM.
At the age of 9 he was selected to continue his studies in Mexico at the Carmen Romano school, also known as the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, where his teacher since then has been Marieta Ivanova.
Daniel was the winner of first place in the 2016 National Cello Competition, third place in the 2018 edition and second place in the 2023 edition. He has participated in the 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 editions of the OSIM. Recently winner of the 2024 ESMDM soloist competition where he performed E. Elgar's cello and orchestra concerto in E minor 1 and 2 mov.
He has received masterclasses from great cellists such as Marie Ythier, Álvaro Bitrán, Steven Isserlis and Santiago Cañon Valencia.
Daniel is currently in his 5th year of a cello degree at the ESMDM.
Roosevelt Caicedo, 20, Venezuela
She began her cello studies at the age of 12 within the San Carlos Core System in the State of Cojedes, under the tutelage of Professor Shanna Caicedo.
Later she was part of the Children's, Youth and Regional Symphony Orchestras of San Carlos where she worked under the direction of the teachers Yencelis Montana, Xiomara Mendoza, Edixon Ávila and Abrahan Jiménez.
She has participated in concerts with the Lara Symphony Orchestra and the Vicente Emilio Sojo Symphony Orchestra.
As a soloist she performed concerts with the San Carlos Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Lara State Symphony Orchestra.
As a member of the National Cello School of the System, she has received master classes with the teachers: Elio Herrera, Valmore Nieves, Samuel Leon, Joanmary Montes, Leonardo Ferraez, Tarsy Mata, Daniel Arias, Leandro Bandres. And international teachers such as: Luca Franzetti (Italy), Francisco Vilas (Ecuador), Dmitri Atapine and Richard Hirschl (United States) and Gabriel Ureña (Spain).
He is currently studying with maestro Leandro Bandres, is part of the teaching staff of the National School of Cello and is studying at the Simón Bolívar Music Conservatory with professor Joanmary Montes and professor Leonardo Ferraéz.
Later she was part of the Children's, Youth and Regional Symphony Orchestras of San Carlos where she worked under the direction of the teachers Yencelis Montana, Xiomara Mendoza, Edixon Ávila and Abrahan Jiménez.
She has participated in concerts with the Lara Symphony Orchestra and the Vicente Emilio Sojo Symphony Orchestra.
As a soloist she performed concerts with the San Carlos Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Lara State Symphony Orchestra.
As a member of the National Cello School of the System, she has received master classes with the teachers: Elio Herrera, Valmore Nieves, Samuel Leon, Joanmary Montes, Leonardo Ferraez, Tarsy Mata, Daniel Arias, Leandro Bandres. And international teachers such as: Luca Franzetti (Italy), Francisco Vilas (Ecuador), Dmitri Atapine and Richard Hirschl (United States) and Gabriel Ureña (Spain).
He is currently studying with maestro Leandro Bandres, is part of the teaching staff of the National School of Cello and is studying at the Simón Bolívar Music Conservatory with professor Joanmary Montes and professor Leonardo Ferraéz.
Arlette Santiago, 19, Mexico
Arlette was born in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico in 2004. She began playing the cello in the Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra at the age of 11, an orchestra by which she was accompanied as a soloist for the first time at the age of 12. In 2020, she was the winner of the Oaxaca City Children's Soloist Competition. She has participated in national and international music festivals such as the International Music Festival of the Lake, the Virtuoso Festival, the Guadalajara International Music Festival, Cellísimo, and was part of the Children's and Youth Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM). She was also a finalist in the Manuel María Ponce competition and had the opportunity to play in a concert with the Yale Symphony Orchestra. She has had master classes with teachers such as: William Molina, Serguei Trush, John Sharp,
Johannes Raab, Francisco Vila, Michal Shein, German Marano, Daniel Curtaz, Adolfo Ramos, Abner Jairo Ortíz, among others. In 2024 she was selected to play as a soloist with the
Orchestra of the National Conservatory of Music where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Cello under the Chair of teacher Catherine Lehr Ramos.
Johannes Raab, Francisco Vila, Michal Shein, German Marano, Daniel Curtaz, Adolfo Ramos, Abner Jairo Ortíz, among others. In 2024 she was selected to play as a soloist with the
Orchestra of the National Conservatory of Music where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Cello under the Chair of teacher Catherine Lehr Ramos.
Tamara Solano, 20, Peru
Tamara Solano, a Peruvian cellist, began her studies in 2017 at the age of 14 in the Sinfonía por el Perú program.
Since 2018, she has been a member of the Sinfonia por el Perú Youth Orchestra. She has also participated in the 2022 tour with this orchestra, where she has represented her country at the Salzburg Festival, Gstaad Menuhin Festival, and Lucerne Festival together with tenor Juan Diego Florez.
She has been studying at the National University of Music since 2020 and has received classes with Taide Prieto, Sammanda Sigüeñas, and Ivan Pierantozzi. She is currently receiving classes with maestro Cesar Pacheco.
Since 2018, she has been a member of the Sinfonia por el Perú Youth Orchestra. She has also participated in the 2022 tour with this orchestra, where she has represented her country at the Salzburg Festival, Gstaad Menuhin Festival, and Lucerne Festival together with tenor Juan Diego Florez.
She has been studying at the National University of Music since 2020 and has received classes with Taide Prieto, Sammanda Sigüeñas, and Ivan Pierantozzi. She is currently receiving classes with maestro Cesar Pacheco.
Anthony Reyes, 21, Venezuela
Anthony Paul Reyes Parababire was born on July 20, 2002 in Barcelona Anzoátegui - Venezuela. He began his first musical studies in the System of Children's and Youth Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela, specifically in the state of Yaracuy in 2006, starting with rhythm band with Prof. Eliezer Encinosa, Ilse Bracho, etc. Later he moved to the CEAC, where he began to play the cello with Prof. Winnie Reyes. During this period he acquired his first musical knowledge about its execution. Over the years he has been part of the Pre-Children's, Children's and Youth Orchestras of the Yaracuy State Orchestra System, receiving classes from prominent and important teachers such as: Radnier Vargas, María Cecilia Giménez, Manuel Ustariz, Luis Carlos Parra, etc. Likewise, he has participated in Masterclasses with renowned teachers such as: Gabriel Ureña, Daniel Arias, Francy Vázquez, Germán Marcano, Thulio Rondón, Tarsy Mata, Orlando López, Luis Carlos Parra and Roberto Zambrano, acquiring important knowledge that has helped him in his musical training and giving him satisfaction for the achievements obtained in them. In 2019 he entered as FIAM (Comprehensive Academic Musical Trainer) in the cello chair of the San Felipe Regional Academic Center of Yaracuy State, where he has the opportunity to transmit his knowledge to new generations of children and young people. It is important to highlight that he also shares singing with musical performance, belonging to the Latin Caribbean Orchestra of the San Felipe Regional Academic Center as a singer. He is currently a member of the cello row of the Yaracuyana Youth Symphony Orchestra, he has participated as a guest in the Lara State Symphony Orchestra and the Chacao Youth Symphony Orchestra. He participated in the Summer Course of the Caracas String Academy 2023, in the Comprehensive Cycle, and in the Intensive Cello Course with Mtra. Francy Vázquez. He is currently studying the IV Semester of Education, Music Mention, at the Francisco de Miranda National Experimental University, to obtain his degree and expand his knowledge at a professional level, continue training as a cellist and human being, implementing different methods and theories of learning for a better development in his artistic path.
Rosa Balderrama, 24, Bolivia/U.S.A.
Originally from Bolivia, Rosa Balderrama earned her Bachelor of Music Performance from Drake University and recently her Master of Music Performance from Ohio State University. During her undergraduate studies, Rosa studied under the tutelage of Prof. Mark Rudoff, Dr. Ashley Sidon, and Dr. Eduardo Vargas.
As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Ohio State University, Rosa actively contributed to her academic environment by teaching cello, music theory, and ear training. Rosa has performed with orchestras such as the Des Moines Symphony, Ashland Symphony, Newark Granville Symphony, Filarmónica de Bolivia, and Filarmónica de Cochabamba. Rosa has been principal cellist at different summer festivals, the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra, and the Drake University Symphony Orchestra.
Rosa currently plays a Leo Ashauer cello, generously loaned by the Carlsen Foundation.
As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Ohio State University, Rosa actively contributed to her academic environment by teaching cello, music theory, and ear training. Rosa has performed with orchestras such as the Des Moines Symphony, Ashland Symphony, Newark Granville Symphony, Filarmónica de Bolivia, and Filarmónica de Cochabamba. Rosa has been principal cellist at different summer festivals, the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra, and the Drake University Symphony Orchestra.
Rosa currently plays a Leo Ashauer cello, generously loaned by the Carlsen Foundation.
Darah Vilchis, 18, Mexico
Darah Vilchis, Mexican cellist from the city of Monterrey N.L., 18 years old, with more than 12 years as a music student.
She began her musical studies at the age of 5 under the teaching of maestro David García and maestro Lidia Muñoz as her cello teacher.
At the age of 7, she entered as a student in her current school: the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, where she is currently in her 6th year of Bachelor's degree as a student of the Bulgarian teacher Marieta Ivanova.
She has won multiple awards in various editions of the National Cello Competition, held at the same school's facilities: 3rd place within level 1 (2014), 2nd place within level 1 (2016), 1st place as well as the award for the best interpretation of a Mexican piece at level 2 (2018), 2nd place (2021) and 1st place with the award for the best interpretation of a Mexican piece at level 3 (2023). She participated in the celebration concerts for the 40th (2017) and 45th (2022) anniversary of the Escuela Superior held at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, as well as in the INBA Orchestra Meeting concert given at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City in 2018.
She was selected for the national camp and tour of the Mexican Children's Symphony Orchestra (OSIM) in 2022 and 2023, remaining as principal of the cello section in both editions.
She has taken master classes with teachers such as: Carlos Prieto, Tanya Carey, Álvaro Bitrán, Marie Ythier, Maja Bogdanovic, Santiago Cañón, Amit Peled, Inbal Segev, Steven Isserlis, among others.
She began her musical studies at the age of 5 under the teaching of maestro David García and maestro Lidia Muñoz as her cello teacher.
At the age of 7, she entered as a student in her current school: the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, where she is currently in her 6th year of Bachelor's degree as a student of the Bulgarian teacher Marieta Ivanova.
She has won multiple awards in various editions of the National Cello Competition, held at the same school's facilities: 3rd place within level 1 (2014), 2nd place within level 1 (2016), 1st place as well as the award for the best interpretation of a Mexican piece at level 2 (2018), 2nd place (2021) and 1st place with the award for the best interpretation of a Mexican piece at level 3 (2023). She participated in the celebration concerts for the 40th (2017) and 45th (2022) anniversary of the Escuela Superior held at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, as well as in the INBA Orchestra Meeting concert given at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City in 2018.
She was selected for the national camp and tour of the Mexican Children's Symphony Orchestra (OSIM) in 2022 and 2023, remaining as principal of the cello section in both editions.
She has taken master classes with teachers such as: Carlos Prieto, Tanya Carey, Álvaro Bitrán, Marie Ythier, Maja Bogdanovic, Santiago Cañón, Amit Peled, Inbal Segev, Steven Isserlis, among others.
Fabian Faingerch, 18, Argentina
Born in 2006, in Argentina. He began playing the cello at the age of 8 in the Children and Youth Orchestra Program of the City of Buenos Aires. He continued his training with the masters Carlos Diener, José Araujo and Diego Fainguersch. He joined various orchestras, including the Radio Nacional Youth Symphony Orchestra, the José de San Martín National Youth Symphony Orchestra, the San Martín Municipal Youth Orchestra, etc.
In 2024, he participated in the Latin American Cello Festival, where he took a master class with maestro Eduardo Vasallo.
In 2024, he participated in the Latin American Cello Festival, where he took a master class with maestro Eduardo Vasallo.
Valentina Zavala, 20, Mexico
Valentina Zavala Corona was born in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico. She received her first cello lessons at the age of 12 at the School of Music of the University of Guanajuato with the teacher Martha Lara Elicerio. She lived in Guanajuato from 2014 to
2022 where teachers Michael Severens, Konrad Komusinski and Jean Carlos Coronado were part of her training. Since 2022 she has studied in the class of teachers Krzysztof Karpeta and Henryk Zarzycki in Poland.
In 2020 she was selected nationally to participate with the OSIM (Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico). She participated twice in the Live Virtual Concert Ireland and in the Cello Week at the Trinitate Academy in León, Guanajuato. She was also
part of the Trinitate Sinfonietta.
Valentina has attended master classes with Maja Bogdanovic, Santiago Cañón Valencia, Tomáš Jamník, Adam Krzeszowiec, John Henry Crawford, István Várdai, Wojciech Fudala, Maria Grün,
Roberto Trainini, Jelena Očić among others.
She has participated in various festivals such as the International Cello Festival of León, Mexico, Międzynarodowa
Akademia Wiolonczelowa, Nysa Poland, Morawa Cello Master Class, Poland and Allegro Vivo Festival, Austria.
She has performed in various venues such as Narodowe Forum
Muzyki, Teatro Juárez, Teatro Principal, Trybunal Lublin, Morawa Palace, Teatro Bicentenario, Kościół św. Apostołów Piotra i Pawła, in Nysie among others.
Although neither of her parents are musicians, she grew up in a very musical environment, so she considers herself a music lover, whose tastes are diverse and do not focus solely on classical music.
She loves learning new things about any subject and knowing how things work in the world.
2022 where teachers Michael Severens, Konrad Komusinski and Jean Carlos Coronado were part of her training. Since 2022 she has studied in the class of teachers Krzysztof Karpeta and Henryk Zarzycki in Poland.
In 2020 she was selected nationally to participate with the OSIM (Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico). She participated twice in the Live Virtual Concert Ireland and in the Cello Week at the Trinitate Academy in León, Guanajuato. She was also
part of the Trinitate Sinfonietta.
Valentina has attended master classes with Maja Bogdanovic, Santiago Cañón Valencia, Tomáš Jamník, Adam Krzeszowiec, John Henry Crawford, István Várdai, Wojciech Fudala, Maria Grün,
Roberto Trainini, Jelena Očić among others.
She has participated in various festivals such as the International Cello Festival of León, Mexico, Międzynarodowa
Akademia Wiolonczelowa, Nysa Poland, Morawa Cello Master Class, Poland and Allegro Vivo Festival, Austria.
She has performed in various venues such as Narodowe Forum
Muzyki, Teatro Juárez, Teatro Principal, Trybunal Lublin, Morawa Palace, Teatro Bicentenario, Kościół św. Apostołów Piotra i Pawła, in Nysie among others.
Although neither of her parents are musicians, she grew up in a very musical environment, so she considers herself a music lover, whose tastes are diverse and do not focus solely on classical music.
She loves learning new things about any subject and knowing how things work in the world.
Kevin Zapata, 24, Colombia/U.S.A
He began his cello studies at the age of 16 and discovered his passion for the cello through the Social Foundation “SIDOC” in Cali, Colombia. Kevin has participated in prestigious international festivals such as FEMUSC in Brazil (2019) and the Esmeraldas Festival (2019), as well as local workshops in the United States such as the Tennessee Cello Workshop in 2023.
His pursuit of musical excellence extended to online programs such as the Ilumina
Music Festival (2020) and the Samuel Vargas Foundation (2020-2021), where he obtained the necessary tools to obtain an undergraduate scholarship for cello performance at Columbus State University, under the tutelage of Professor Wendy Warner.
Beyond his musical environment, Kevin remains deeply committed to
social engagement, actively contributing to programs and organizations that provide
better educational opportunities for young musicians, mostly in Colombia. This commitment reflects his belief in the transformative power of music as a catalyst for
positive change.
He has also taken master classes with Francisco Vila, Horacio Contreras, Alan Rafferty, Eduardo Vasallo, Dmitry Kouzov, Leo Singer, Robert Howard, among others.
His pursuit of musical excellence extended to online programs such as the Ilumina
Music Festival (2020) and the Samuel Vargas Foundation (2020-2021), where he obtained the necessary tools to obtain an undergraduate scholarship for cello performance at Columbus State University, under the tutelage of Professor Wendy Warner.
Beyond his musical environment, Kevin remains deeply committed to
social engagement, actively contributing to programs and organizations that provide
better educational opportunities for young musicians, mostly in Colombia. This commitment reflects his belief in the transformative power of music as a catalyst for
positive change.
He has also taken master classes with Francisco Vila, Horacio Contreras, Alan Rafferty, Eduardo Vasallo, Dmitry Kouzov, Leo Singer, Robert Howard, among others.
Zadlei Lobaton, 21, Venezuela
Zadlei was born in Barquisimeto in 2002. She is a student at the National School of Cello. She began her first cello studies with the teacher Katiuska Yustiz. She has participated in masterclasses with the following teachers: German Marcano, Anna Ruth, Rodolfo Echegaray, Javier Peraza, Omaira Naranjo, Alejandro Sarda, Andrés Herrera, José Luis Meza, Haydee Hernández, Horacio Contreras, William Molina, Luca Franzetti, Daniel Arias, Samuel Pérez, Tarsy Mata, Wendy Warner, Francisco Villa, and is currently a student of the teacher Edgar Calderon. She is a member of the Cello section of the Regional Orchestra of Lara. She participated in the piano department festival at the VES conservatory and performed recitals with the Ana Frank Foundation "Pensar la música" together with the French Alliance and at the Venezuelan soloists festival in Barinas. He obtained his bachelor's degree in music with a major in Violoncello instrumental performance at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory, and is currently studying at the Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado, specializing in a Bachelor of Music with a major in Violoncello instrumental performance.
Festival Attendees 2024
Angel Bustillos, 21, Mexico (Cellisimo 2022, 2023)
Young musician originally from Chihuahua, Chihuahua; he began playing the cello at the age of 12 in the “Esperanza Azteca” project with maestro Sergio Carmona. He currently resides in Monterrey and is under the tutelage of Mtra. Temenuzhka Ostreva at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey where he is in the sixth year of the Bachelor of Cello Performer and is studying a Bachelor of Musical Technologies and Production (LTM) at the Tecnológico de Monterrey. Winner of first place in the 2023 and 2021 National Cello Competition, in the 16-19 and 20-25 age categories; winner of the Best Performance of a Mexican Piece Award in said
competition in 2021.
Principal Cellist of “La Súper” Philharmonic Orchestra of the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza
de Monterrey and the Symphony Orchestra of the Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has been a member of the
Orquesta de las Américas 2024 in a Residency in Michigan where he played as Principal Cello in concert with Yo-Yo Ma and Kayhan Kalhor, Symphony Azteca 2022, Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico on
three occasions (from 2018 to 2020), the Mexico - USA Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
“The Bridge”, the Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra “Francisco Villa”, the Cello Octet “Sul-
Ponticello”; He has also been principal cellist in two productions of the Monterrey Ballet: Swan Lake (2022) and the recording and premiere of the Mexican ballet Maximiliano y Carlota
(2023); he has also participated as a guest in the Chihuahua State Philharmonic Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, and the Camerata Arewá. He participated in the León International Cello Festival (2021, 2022 and 2023) as an outstanding student and
scholarship recipient, the International Cello Festival in Mexico “CFest” (2018 and 2019), the Cellisimo Virtual Festival (2022 and 2023), CelloBello Audition Preparation Workshop (2022), the International Festival del Lago:
Academy of Music (2021), the Guadalajara International Music Festival (2022) from which he was the
recipient of the Excellence Scholarship, the Chihuahua International Festival and the Nuevo Chihuahua Art Festival (both in 2017); festivals where he has obtained various scholarships and where he has had the opportunity to take master classes with internationally renowned cellists such as Steven Isserlis, Santiago Cañón
Valencia, Marc Coppey, Valérie Aimard, Julie Albers, Amit Even-Tov, Jesús Castro-Balbi, Christine Lamprea, John-Henry Crawford, Leonhard Roczek, Kate Dillingham, Michal Shein, Eduardo Palao, Francisco Vila, Guido Schiefen, Yeesun Kim, Guillermo Turina, Noémie Raymond-Friset, Marcio
Carneiro, Marie Ythier, Alvaro Bitran, William Molina, Ildefonso Cedillo, Diego Carneiro, among others. At the Tecnológico de Monterrey he has participated in important productions with the Symphony Orchestra, as well as in Musical Theater and Ensemble Concerts that have made him nominated in the three categories at the Maldonado Gala, and he has been the winner of the award for Best Male Principal 2023 and
for Revelation in Musical Theater Music 2022.
Ángel Bustillos, La Superior National Cello Competition 2023
He has been part of the organizing committee of the León International Cello Festival, in Guanajuato since
last year, working in the area of Diffusion and Promotion, as well as the festival's Social Networks.
competition in 2021.
Principal Cellist of “La Súper” Philharmonic Orchestra of the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza
de Monterrey and the Symphony Orchestra of the Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has been a member of the
Orquesta de las Américas 2024 in a Residency in Michigan where he played as Principal Cello in concert with Yo-Yo Ma and Kayhan Kalhor, Symphony Azteca 2022, Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico on
three occasions (from 2018 to 2020), the Mexico - USA Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
“The Bridge”, the Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra “Francisco Villa”, the Cello Octet “Sul-
Ponticello”; He has also been principal cellist in two productions of the Monterrey Ballet: Swan Lake (2022) and the recording and premiere of the Mexican ballet Maximiliano y Carlota
(2023); he has also participated as a guest in the Chihuahua State Philharmonic Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, and the Camerata Arewá. He participated in the León International Cello Festival (2021, 2022 and 2023) as an outstanding student and
scholarship recipient, the International Cello Festival in Mexico “CFest” (2018 and 2019), the Cellisimo Virtual Festival (2022 and 2023), CelloBello Audition Preparation Workshop (2022), the International Festival del Lago:
Academy of Music (2021), the Guadalajara International Music Festival (2022) from which he was the
recipient of the Excellence Scholarship, the Chihuahua International Festival and the Nuevo Chihuahua Art Festival (both in 2017); festivals where he has obtained various scholarships and where he has had the opportunity to take master classes with internationally renowned cellists such as Steven Isserlis, Santiago Cañón
Valencia, Marc Coppey, Valérie Aimard, Julie Albers, Amit Even-Tov, Jesús Castro-Balbi, Christine Lamprea, John-Henry Crawford, Leonhard Roczek, Kate Dillingham, Michal Shein, Eduardo Palao, Francisco Vila, Guido Schiefen, Yeesun Kim, Guillermo Turina, Noémie Raymond-Friset, Marcio
Carneiro, Marie Ythier, Alvaro Bitran, William Molina, Ildefonso Cedillo, Diego Carneiro, among others. At the Tecnológico de Monterrey he has participated in important productions with the Symphony Orchestra, as well as in Musical Theater and Ensemble Concerts that have made him nominated in the three categories at the Maldonado Gala, and he has been the winner of the award for Best Male Principal 2023 and
for Revelation in Musical Theater Music 2022.
Ángel Bustillos, La Superior National Cello Competition 2023
He has been part of the organizing committee of the León International Cello Festival, in Guanajuato since
last year, working in the area of Diffusion and Promotion, as well as the festival's Social Networks.
Stephanny Mata, 26, Venezuela (Cellisimo 2022)
Nancy Olivares, 23, Mexico (Cellisimo 2021, 2022, 2023)
Nancy Olivares is an outstanding Mexican cellist born in Monterrey, Nuevo León. She has been recognized with first place in the National Cello Competition of Mexico in three different editions (2014, 2018 and 2021). In 2021, her quartet obtained third place in the National String Quartet Competition in Mexico, being the youngest ensemble of that edition. At the age of 16, she debuted as a soloist with the Youth Orchestra of the Higher School of Music and Dance of Monterrey. Nancy began her musical training at the age of 5 and began studying the cello at the age of 7 under the tutelage of teacher Temenuzhka Ostreva at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, where she completed her bachelor's degree in 2023. From an early age, she showed a great interest in orchestral music and thanks to this she was selected among hundreds of Mexicans to participate in the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico for 3 consecutive years where she obtained the position of principal cellist. Later, she played the same role in the Azteca Symphony in 2021 and 2023 under the direction of the renowned Paolo Bortolameoli. She has been principal cellist in various orchestras, including the Philharmonic Orchestra of 'La Super', the ESMDM Symphony Orchestra, Thames Valley Youth Orchestra (2024) and the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Rhode Island. She has also been invited to perform with the Nuevo León Symphony Orchestra and the Ricardo Castro Festival Symphony Orchestra, among others. In 2019, she was part of the Orchestra of the Americas, participating in a historic tour of Mexico under the direction of Carlos Miguel Prieto and with soloist Gil Shaham. In 2024, she was selected for the National Orchestra Institute + Festival, directed by renowned Artistic Director Marin Alsop. She holds a Graduate Artist Certificate in Orchestral Performance and Digital Creation from the OAcademy and is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Rhode Island, where she is pursuing her first year of a master's degree under the guidance of Professor Michal Shein.
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