Participants Cellisimo Festival 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adan Caldera, 23, Venezuela/U.S.A

Born in Venezuela, Adan began his studies at the Emil Friedman School with professors Elisabeta Grosz and Mauricio López, among others. At age 11 he was accepted into the Latin American Cello Academy where he studied with José David Márquez. Upon moving to Panama he studied with teachers Isaac Casal and Sébastien Hurtaud, among others.
His chamber music mentors include Scott Cuellar, Francesca dePasquale, Darrett Adkins, Yulia Fedoseeva and members of the Verona Quartet and The Cleveland Orchestra.
In 2019 he was the winner of the intermediate category of the Alfredo de Saint Malo Soloist Competition. He has played in the cello section of the University of Panama Symphony Orchestra and was principal cello in the Ibero-American Youth Orchestra during its residency in Mexico City in 2019. He has also been a substitute in the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama. Past experiences include the Virtual Summer Cello Festival 2021, Festival Cellísimo 2022, Round Top Festival Institute 2023, and the Oberlin at Hidden Valley Chamber Music Intensive Workshop in Carmel Valley, CA. He has been invited as a
String Quartet Fellow to the Dalí Quartet International Music Festival where he will participate in concerts and mentor younger quartets. He is currently beginning
his final year of Bachelor studies at Oberlin Conservatory with Professor Dmitry Kouzov.

Isabell Sanchez, 18, Cuba/U.S.A.

My name is Isabell Sánchez Rivero, and I was born on May 3, 2006, in Santiago de Cuba. Art has always been very present in my environment and family, so I developed an interest in it since I was little. At the age of seven, I attended the recruitment for the music school, where I was selected and after the workshops, I was also accepted for the cello career. So it was that in 2014, at the age of eight, I began my music studies at the Vocational School of Art, named "José María Heredia Heredia". There I went through seven years of elementary level music education, receiving classes in the theoretical and technical subjects of the instrument, musical appreciation, theory and solfeggio, complementary piano, choir, ensemble practice (orchestra), and of course cello. During these years I participated in several concerts of the bowed strings department, and received open classes from other visiting teachers. When I reached ninth grade, I took the entrance exam to enter the professional middle level studies at the "Esteban Salas" conservatory in Santiago de Cuba. After successfully passing the entrance exam, I began my first year at the conservatory in 2022, where the subjects of Harmony and History of Cuban and Universal Music were added to all the previous ones, of which I received the continuation. After passing the first year, and half of the second year having passed, I interrupted my studies because of the decision to travel to the United States in 2023. This is where I currently live, with my family, and I have received a lot of support to keep me practicing my instrument and getting involved in events in the music world, preserving the knowledge acquired and hungry to learn much more.

Maitena Sica, 19, Argentina

She began her studies in Bariloche at the age of 8 with Diego Díaz at the Fundación Cofradía. She was part of his youth chamber orchestra and various youth chamber music meetings.
In 2023 she entered the Instituto Superior de Artes del Teatro Colón and began taking classes with maestro Diego Fainguersch in Buenos Aires. She is currently a conductor for the Chamber Orchestra of the National University of Lanús, and assistant conductor for the Municipal Youth Orchestra of San Martín.
She has participated in numerous editions of the 7 Lagos festival, receiving classes from prominent teachers such as Kate Gould, Bartholomé LaFollette, Peteris Sokolovskis, Angela Park, and Anouchka Hack. In 2024 she participated in the Latin American Cello Festival, led by Eduardo Vasallo, and received the 2nd "Nicolas Finolli" Prize.

Oswaldo Banda, 24, Mexico

She began her cello studies at the age of 14 with Mstra. Ana Karen Malpica Pineda at the MUVI Foundation, a youth orchestra system. Later, she entered the Autonomous University of Zacatecas where she received classes from Mstros. Rodolfo Navarro Fernández and José Luis Herrera Hernández.
She has received master classes from cellists such as Inbal Segev, Amit Peled,
Santiago Cañón Valencia, Johannes Raab, Ángel Miguel Hernández, Eduardo Palao, Daniel Curtaz, José Luis Gálvez, Felipa Moncada León, among others.
She has participated in performances with the Orchestra of the Americas, the Chamber Orchestra of the State of Zacatecas, the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the National Youth Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of the State of Zacatecas, the Muvi System Orchestra, the Orchestra of the University of Zacatecas, and the Philharmonic of the State of Zacatecas.
She obtained third place in the 7th National Cello Competition La Superior (professional level), has participated in the Guadalajara International Music Festival, the San Luis Potosí International Chamber Music Festival, the Aguascalientes Chamber Music Festival, the Zacatecas Cultural Festival, the UNA Cello Fest Online Course, the Orizaba High Mountains Philharmonic Online Course, and the IMAG FOR ALL Project.
She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Music with an Emphasis on Cello at the Autonomous University of Zacatecas and is preparing to audition for her Master's Degree abroad.

Jean Pool Alvarado, 24, Venezuela

Jean Pool Alvarado Cario was born in Ocumare del tuy, Miranda State (Venezuela). He began his musical studies at the age of 6 in choral singing, learning to play the recorder, the cuatro, the guitar and some percussion instruments such as drums and maracas. He received his first cello lesson at the age of 8 with the teacher Juan Loyola.
In (2012) he was selected for the Metropolitan Children's Orchestra in the city of Caracas.
In (2013) he was part of the National Children's Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela participating in the Salzburg Festival.
(2016) he was accepted by the Caracas Symphony Orchestra. The following year (2017) he was selected for the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.
In 2018 he was admitted to the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (where he is currently an active member).
He has received classes with great teachers such as:
Renato Moscott, Roy Garcia, Benito Liendo, Valmore Nieves, Edgar Calderon, Juan Trujillo, John Rujano, Cesar Guiliani, Paul Desenne, Alisa Weilerstein, Christoph Croise, Pablo Ferrandez, Johan Stern, Francisco Vila, Gabriel Ureña, Luca Francetti, among others.

Victoria Blanco, 18, Venezuela

Born in Caracas, Venezuela in December 2005. She began her musical studies at the age of 5 at the Simón Rodríguez Nucleus of the "System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela". Starting in choir and musical language and then integrating her studies in the cello with teachers Daniela Tovar and Salomé Pérez (with whom she took classes until 2022). She has been a member of various symphonic groups such as: Andrés Bellos Symphony Orchestra of the Simón Bolívar Music Conservatory, Metropolitan Orchestra of the West (Montalbán nucleus), José Francisco del Castillo Youth Symphony Orchestra (San Agustín nucleus). In mid-2015-17 he was part of the Grandes Genios del Violoncello Ensemble, a group of children and young cellists guided in group learning of chamber music by high-level teachers of the System, including Valmore Nieves.

He had the honor of attending master classes with maestro Luka Franzetti, who has visited Venezuela on several occasions. He participated in the Guinness Record for the largest orchestra in the world in November 2021, a very significant event for his artistic career. He is currently studying at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory of Music in order to obtain a degree soon. He attends classes with Maestro Leandro Bandrés and has been part of the Caracas Youth Symphony Orchestra since 2023.

Mario Ruelas O'Connor, 20, Mexico

Cellist born in Nayarit, Mexico. He began his cello studies at the age of 12 at the Escuela Superior de Música de Nayarit with maestro Aroche Mazo. 3 years later at the age of 15 he began taking classes in Guadalajara with Roberto Pérez, Ángel Hernandez and Juan Carlos Chourio. He is currently studying in Mexico City with Lioudmila Belglarian and Ivan Koulikov at the Carlos Chavez School Orchestra.
He has participated in orchestras such as the Mexican Children's Symphony Orchestra, the Nayarit Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nayarit Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Autonomous University of Nayarit Orchestra, the Concentus Mundi Baroque Orchestra, the Tlaquepaque Philharmonic Orchestra, the Zapopan Youth Orchestra, among others.
He has participated in masterclasses with: Christine Lamprea, Johannes Moser, Michal Shein, Valérie Aimard, Lluís Claret, Guillermo Turina, William Molina, Guido Schiefen, Francisco Vila, Aristides Rivas, Ildefonso Cedillo, Manuel Garnica and others.
He has been to the Guadalajara International Music Festival twice, the Vivace Vilnius IX International Summer Music Festival, the International Cello Festival in León and the Cellisimo 2024.
He has taken chamber music classes with the violist of the Simon Bolivar Quartet Ismel Campos, currently he takes chamber music with Jorge Deleze and Iván Koulikov musicians of the OSN and with Dr. Farizat Tchibirova.

Talitha Marinho, 24, Brazil

My musical journey began in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where I fell in love with the cello at a very early age. I began my studies at the Sarzedo Musical Project, where I had the opportunity to develop my skills under the guidance of experienced teachers, such as Paula Mendes, João Cândido, and Frederico Nable. During my years in the orchestra, I actively participated in several music festivals, such as the Ouro Branco Cello Festival and the Sarzedo Music Festival, where I took classes with renowned musicians such as Abel Moraes, Asier Polo, Antônio Menezes, and Aldo Mata.
Throughout my career I have participated in countless musical projects, from symphony orchestras to chamber music groups and unconventional formations for the presence of the cello, such as Big Bands. My dedication to music led me to join the Ouro Preto Orchestra, a renowned and award-winning orchestra that combines tradition and innovation in Brazilian music. Since April 2023, I have the privilege of participating as a cellist in this orchestra recognized nationally and internationally for its engaging performances and its continuous pursuit of artistic excellence. At Orquestra Ouro Preto, I have the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional musicians and participate in inspiring musical projects that broaden the horizons of classical and popular music in Brazil.
I had a prominent role between 2020 and 2022 at the Inhotim Chamber Orchestra and was part of the Orquestra Jóvenes das Gerais Project, where I shared my knowledge as a cello teacher from 2020 to 2022. During my educational career, I not only stood out as an instrumentalist, but I also dedicated myself to improving my pedagogical skills. I completed my Bachelor of Music in Cello at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in 2021, when I began the degree at the same institution. I participated in several courses and seminars, including the Suzuki Philosophy Course in 2019, becoming an associate professor of SAA - Suzuki Association of the Americas and the String Pedagogy Course based on the Suzuki Method, as well as actively participating in the co-organization of the Cello Pedagogy Seminar in 2021. I was approved in the OAcademy music course, where I had the opportunity to receive instruction from renowned cellist Kian Soltani, among many others. My participation also led me to be invited to the student residence in Michigan, where I had the honor of playing alongside great musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma.

Participants Cellisimo Festival 2023

Festival Attendees 2024