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Participants Cellisimo Festival 2025
Karla Lugo, 24, Mexico
Karla Sofía Lugo Castelán was born in Pachuca, Hidalgo. She began her cello studies at age 12 in the "Hope Azteca Hidalgo Symphony Orchestra" project. Between 2015 and 2017, she was selected to be part of the cello section of the Children's and Youth Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM).
In 2016, she entered the "Vida y Movimiento" Music School at the Ollin Yoliztli Cultural Center, where she studied with Marta Fontes. From 2018 to 2023, she participated as an "extra" musician in the Eduardo Mata University Youth Orchestra. She was principal cellist in the Ollin Yoliztli Symphony Orchestra between 2017 and 2023, where she also appeared as a soloist performing Haydn's Concerto in D major.
In 2021, she won second place in the National Cello Competition at the Monterrey School of Music and Dance, professional category. In 2023, she was a finalist in the María M. Ponce International Competition in Mexico and won the Wichita State University Concerto Aria Competition, performing Elgar's Concerto in E minor in February 2024. She also won first place in the Senior category of the KASTA (Kansas American String Teachers Association) competition in the United States.
She has participated in festivals such as the International Cello Festival in León, Guanajuato (2019), the Bernal Jiménez Music Festival's Sinfonietta (2021 and 2024), the "Sa'Oaxaca" International String Festival (2021 and 2022), the International Lake Festival (2022), the Haus Der Musik Ajijic Festival (2024), and the Huilo Huilo Festival (2024, Chile).
Karla has taken master classes with maestros such as Biong Tsang, William Molina-Cestari, Jacob Shaw, Francisco Vila, Bárbara Piotrowska, Leonhard Roczek, Santiago Cañón Valencia, as well as with the Dalí Quartet and the Latin American Quartet.
She has been an extra musician in professional orchestras such as the OSUAEH and OFUNAM, and received the 2022 Performing Arts Scholarship from the System of Support for Creation and Cultural Projects. She holds a degree in concert music with a specialty in cello from the School of Music, Life and Movement, studied for a year at Wichita State University with maestro Leonid Shukaev (cellist of the St. Petersburg Quartet), and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, under the tutelage of Professor Javier Arias.
In 2016, she entered the "Vida y Movimiento" Music School at the Ollin Yoliztli Cultural Center, where she studied with Marta Fontes. From 2018 to 2023, she participated as an "extra" musician in the Eduardo Mata University Youth Orchestra. She was principal cellist in the Ollin Yoliztli Symphony Orchestra between 2017 and 2023, where she also appeared as a soloist performing Haydn's Concerto in D major.
In 2021, she won second place in the National Cello Competition at the Monterrey School of Music and Dance, professional category. In 2023, she was a finalist in the María M. Ponce International Competition in Mexico and won the Wichita State University Concerto Aria Competition, performing Elgar's Concerto in E minor in February 2024. She also won first place in the Senior category of the KASTA (Kansas American String Teachers Association) competition in the United States.
She has participated in festivals such as the International Cello Festival in León, Guanajuato (2019), the Bernal Jiménez Music Festival's Sinfonietta (2021 and 2024), the "Sa'Oaxaca" International String Festival (2021 and 2022), the International Lake Festival (2022), the Haus Der Musik Ajijic Festival (2024), and the Huilo Huilo Festival (2024, Chile).
Karla has taken master classes with maestros such as Biong Tsang, William Molina-Cestari, Jacob Shaw, Francisco Vila, Bárbara Piotrowska, Leonhard Roczek, Santiago Cañón Valencia, as well as with the Dalí Quartet and the Latin American Quartet.
She has been an extra musician in professional orchestras such as the OSUAEH and OFUNAM, and received the 2022 Performing Arts Scholarship from the System of Support for Creation and Cultural Projects. She holds a degree in concert music with a specialty in cello from the School of Music, Life and Movement, studied for a year at Wichita State University with maestro Leonid Shukaev (cellist of the St. Petersburg Quartet), and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, under the tutelage of Professor Javier Arias.
Nicole Hernández, 18, Venezuela
She began her musical studies at the age of 6 at the Baruta Center of the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela. Since then, she has been a member of the Musical Initiation Orchestra and participated in several concerts of the Baruta Center's Youth Choir as a second voice. In 2012, she performed at the Simón Bolívar Concert Hall of the Center for Musical Social Action in the concert "Funda musical Canta." In 2013, she participated in the Simón Bolívar Hall Choir Festival in honor of Modesta Bor, and that same year, she joined the Bell Orchestra under the direction of Professor Francisco León.
At the age of 8, she began cello studies at the Baruta Center and was selected to join the Baruta Children's Symphony Orchestra. In 2015, he entered the National Cello Academy with Valmore Nieves, and that same year he became principal cellist of the Baruta Nucleus Chamber Orchestra and gave his first recital. In 2016, he performed with the National Cello Academy Ensemble under the direction of Juana Díaz and Jesús Díaz, and performed Vivaldi's Cello Concerto in D major.
At the age of 12, he began studies at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory with Valmore Nieves, where he was part of the Juana Díaz and Jesús Díaz teaching team.
Since 2018, he has been principal cellist of the Chacao Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, he participated in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of the East under the direction of Ollantay Velásquez, Rodney Villamizar, and Miguel Bravo. In 2019, she performed with the Grandes Genios del Violoncello Ensemble under the baton of Valmore Nieves and soprano Caribay Saavedra.
She has also taken master classes with Johan Stern, Luca Franzetti, Alisa Weilerstein, and Emmanuel Acurero.
In 2019, she joined the Simón Bolívar Children's Orchestra. In 2021, she was accepted to the International Music Academy of Solsona, Spain, where she studied with Peter Thiemann and Daniel Mitnitsky. She participated in the AIMS Festival, where she performed the first movement of Saint-Saëns's Concerto and Popper's Tarantella.
In 2022, she joined the Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra, where she has been conducted by conductors such as Christian Vásquez, Diego Matheuz, Diego Naser, and Gaetan Kuchta.
In 2024, she made her solo debut performing Elgar's Cello Concerto with the Caracas Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Abner Padrino.
At the age of 8, she began cello studies at the Baruta Center and was selected to join the Baruta Children's Symphony Orchestra. In 2015, he entered the National Cello Academy with Valmore Nieves, and that same year he became principal cellist of the Baruta Nucleus Chamber Orchestra and gave his first recital. In 2016, he performed with the National Cello Academy Ensemble under the direction of Juana Díaz and Jesús Díaz, and performed Vivaldi's Cello Concerto in D major.
At the age of 12, he began studies at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory with Valmore Nieves, where he was part of the Juana Díaz and Jesús Díaz teaching team.
Since 2018, he has been principal cellist of the Chacao Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, he participated in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of the East under the direction of Ollantay Velásquez, Rodney Villamizar, and Miguel Bravo. In 2019, she performed with the Grandes Genios del Violoncello Ensemble under the baton of Valmore Nieves and soprano Caribay Saavedra.
She has also taken master classes with Johan Stern, Luca Franzetti, Alisa Weilerstein, and Emmanuel Acurero.
In 2019, she joined the Simón Bolívar Children's Orchestra. In 2021, she was accepted to the International Music Academy of Solsona, Spain, where she studied with Peter Thiemann and Daniel Mitnitsky. She participated in the AIMS Festival, where she performed the first movement of Saint-Saëns's Concerto and Popper's Tarantella.
In 2022, she joined the Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra, where she has been conducted by conductors such as Christian Vásquez, Diego Matheuz, Diego Naser, and Gaetan Kuchta.
In 2024, she made her solo debut performing Elgar's Cello Concerto with the Caracas Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Abner Padrino.
Adrian Cerdas, 24, Costa Rica
He began his cello studies at the age of 11 at the National Institute of Music (INM), under the guidance of Professor Larissa Karina. In 2014, he joined the INM Children's Symphony Orchestra and, two years later, in 2016, won the position of first cellist in the INM Intermediate Symphony Orchestra.
He won the Vivaldi Competition in 2015 and 2016, placing third in both competitions. In 2016, he received a scholarship from the Costa Rican Suzuki Method Association to participate in the Lone Star Festival in Dallas, Texas. In 2017, he won a position at the first stand of the INM Youth Symphony Orchestra and was part of its Central American tour under the direction of Irwin Hoffmann.
From 2019 to 2022, he served as principal cellist of the INM Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, he joined the Heredia Symphony Orchestra as a cellist, where he remains active. He has also been the first cellist at the University of Costa Rica's International String Festival.
In 2019 and 2023, he was a finalist in the Young Soloists Competition of the National Music Center.
In 2024, he presented and passed his recital for a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and Teaching with an emphasis on cello, under the tutelage of Professor Sonia Barth.
He has received master classes from prominent artists such as Barbara Balatero, Horacio Contreras, Melissa Solomon deFreitas, Donna Davis, Kevin Hekmatpanah, Ana Martínez, Karen Ouzounian, Sigifredo Cavallini, Matthias Gredler, Vladimir Sagaydo, Paul Friedhoff, Dennis Parker, and Leonard Elschenbroich.
He won the Vivaldi Competition in 2015 and 2016, placing third in both competitions. In 2016, he received a scholarship from the Costa Rican Suzuki Method Association to participate in the Lone Star Festival in Dallas, Texas. In 2017, he won a position at the first stand of the INM Youth Symphony Orchestra and was part of its Central American tour under the direction of Irwin Hoffmann.
From 2019 to 2022, he served as principal cellist of the INM Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, he joined the Heredia Symphony Orchestra as a cellist, where he remains active. He has also been the first cellist at the University of Costa Rica's International String Festival.
In 2019 and 2023, he was a finalist in the Young Soloists Competition of the National Music Center.
In 2024, he presented and passed his recital for a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and Teaching with an emphasis on cello, under the tutelage of Professor Sonia Barth.
He has received master classes from prominent artists such as Barbara Balatero, Horacio Contreras, Melissa Solomon deFreitas, Donna Davis, Kevin Hekmatpanah, Ana Martínez, Karen Ouzounian, Sigifredo Cavallini, Matthias Gredler, Vladimir Sagaydo, Paul Friedhoff, Dennis Parker, and Leonard Elschenbroich.
Wilber Herrera, 22, Venezuela
He was born in Calabozo, Guárico, Venezuela. He began his musical studies at age 7 in the Charallave neighborhood. The following year, he joined the Los Valles del Tuy Regional Symphony Orchestra and the National Cello Academy, under the tutelage of maestro Valmore Nieves.
He was a member of the National Children's Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in 2013 and 2015, as well as the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in 2017. In 2018, he was one of two children selected to represent El Sistema in Chile for the 30th anniversary of the UNICEF Congress on the Rights of Children and Adolescents.
In 2018, he was admitted to the Simón Bolívar Orchestra and since 2022 has been a member of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, with which he has toured Europe and China.
His first teachers were José Camargo, Valmore Nieves, and Benito Liendo. He is currently a student of Edgar Calderón and has taken masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Alisa Weilerstein, Pablo Ferrández, Christoph Croisé, Johan Stern, and Lionel Martin, among others.
He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Performance/Symphonic Solo Performance at the National Experimental University of the Arts.
He was a member of the National Children's Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in 2013 and 2015, as well as the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in 2017. In 2018, he was one of two children selected to represent El Sistema in Chile for the 30th anniversary of the UNICEF Congress on the Rights of Children and Adolescents.
In 2018, he was admitted to the Simón Bolívar Orchestra and since 2022 has been a member of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, with which he has toured Europe and China.
His first teachers were José Camargo, Valmore Nieves, and Benito Liendo. He is currently a student of Edgar Calderón and has taken masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Alisa Weilerstein, Pablo Ferrández, Christoph Croisé, Johan Stern, and Lionel Martin, among others.
He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Performance/Symphonic Solo Performance at the National Experimental University of the Arts.
Luna Corina Díaz, 15, Mexico
Luna Corina Díaz Cruz is from Chiapas, Mexico, and began her cello studies at age 5 with the Esperanza Azteca Orchestra of Tapachula, under the tutelage of maestro Manuel Ustariz. She later continued her studies with maestro Jean Carlos Coronado Cabrices.
She has won several national and international competitions, including: first place in the Young Performers Competition at the University of Colima, first place in the 2021 National Cello Competition at the Monterrey School of Music, where she also won the award for best performance of a Mexican work at level 1, first place in the 2023 National Young Soloists Competition in Mexico City, and second place in the 2023 National Cello Competition, level 2.
Internationally, she received the Gold Prize at the World Classical Music Awards in the United Kingdom, third place in the Gustav Mahler Cello Competition in the Czech Republic, third place in the international online String Competition in Poland, and first place in the Online International Vivaldi Music Competition, with a special award for excellent participation.
Luna has participated in numerous festivals: Elevare Camp, SIMANOF Orchestral Training Workshop, Basic Cello Course at the Florence Art Academy, 2nd Cello Tapatío, León International Cello Festival, Latin American Cello Academy, Cello Week at the Renaissance Arts Academy and the Soloists of America Orchestra, 7th National Cello Gathering at the UNAM Faculty of Music, Guanajuato International Music Festival, IMaG For All Festival at the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico, Kwapis Institute Music Camp, and the Nahuixitatli Festival.
She has taken master classes with renowned international maestros such as Álvaro Bitrán, William Molina Cestari, Giovanni Gnocchi, Roberto Trainini, Francisco Vila Haas, Jacob Shaw, Zvi Plesser, Andrew Mark, Dennis Parker, Daniel Curtaz, Johannes Raab, and Guido Schiefen, among others.
She has performed as a soloist with the Chiapas Symphony Orchestra, the Zapopan Youth Orchestra, and the Kwapis Institute Youth Orchestra in Mexico City. In 2019, she toured South Korea with the SIMANOF Orchestra and was selected to be part of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM) for its national tours in 2022-2024. In 2023, she was invited as a soloist for a tour of Guatemala with a cello orchestra, and in 2025, she was selected to join the Azteca Symphony Orchestra.
In 2022, she received the State Youth Award of the State of Chiapas in the performing arts category. She has also received important grants from PECDA Chiapas, with the "Violonchelo de Barrio" project, and from FONCA Creadores Escénicos (Foundation of Performing Arts) with the "Mujeres al Violonchelo" project.
She has won several national and international competitions, including: first place in the Young Performers Competition at the University of Colima, first place in the 2021 National Cello Competition at the Monterrey School of Music, where she also won the award for best performance of a Mexican work at level 1, first place in the 2023 National Young Soloists Competition in Mexico City, and second place in the 2023 National Cello Competition, level 2.
Internationally, she received the Gold Prize at the World Classical Music Awards in the United Kingdom, third place in the Gustav Mahler Cello Competition in the Czech Republic, third place in the international online String Competition in Poland, and first place in the Online International Vivaldi Music Competition, with a special award for excellent participation.
Luna has participated in numerous festivals: Elevare Camp, SIMANOF Orchestral Training Workshop, Basic Cello Course at the Florence Art Academy, 2nd Cello Tapatío, León International Cello Festival, Latin American Cello Academy, Cello Week at the Renaissance Arts Academy and the Soloists of America Orchestra, 7th National Cello Gathering at the UNAM Faculty of Music, Guanajuato International Music Festival, IMaG For All Festival at the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico, Kwapis Institute Music Camp, and the Nahuixitatli Festival.
She has taken master classes with renowned international maestros such as Álvaro Bitrán, William Molina Cestari, Giovanni Gnocchi, Roberto Trainini, Francisco Vila Haas, Jacob Shaw, Zvi Plesser, Andrew Mark, Dennis Parker, Daniel Curtaz, Johannes Raab, and Guido Schiefen, among others.
She has performed as a soloist with the Chiapas Symphony Orchestra, the Zapopan Youth Orchestra, and the Kwapis Institute Youth Orchestra in Mexico City. In 2019, she toured South Korea with the SIMANOF Orchestra and was selected to be part of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM) for its national tours in 2022-2024. In 2023, she was invited as a soloist for a tour of Guatemala with a cello orchestra, and in 2025, she was selected to join the Azteca Symphony Orchestra.
In 2022, she received the State Youth Award of the State of Chiapas in the performing arts category. She has also received important grants from PECDA Chiapas, with the "Violonchelo de Barrio" project, and from FONCA Creadores Escénicos (Foundation of Performing Arts) with the "Mujeres al Violonchelo" project.
Daniel Suárez, 19, Cuba/Mexico
Daniel Suárez Nordet is a young Cuban cellist, born on April 20, 2006. He grew up in a musical environment thanks to his father, Carlos Suárez Morejón, a violinist, and his brother, Carlos Suárez Nordet, also a violinist. From a young age, he was surrounded by music at home.
At age 7, he began his academic and musical studies at the Alejandro García Caturla School in Cuba, where he also began playing the cello. He was selected out of 200 participants as one of only two accepted to study at this institution.
At age 9, he was selected to continue his musical training in Mexico, enrolling at the Carmen Romano School. Since then, he has studied cello under the tutelage of Marieta Ivanova.
Among his most notable achievements, Daniel was a soloist in 2016 alongside cellist Renata de la Peña in Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cellos, performed with the Children's Orchestra of the Monterrey School of Music and Dance. That same year, he won first place in the institution's National Cello Competition. In 2018, he won third place, and in 2023, second place in the same competition. In 2023, he was also a soloist in Edward Elgar's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in E minor, performed with his school and later with the ISMEA Puebla Orchestra, after winning the Fifth National Soloist Competition in 2024.
He has received masterclasses from renowned cellists such as Steven Isserlis, Santiago Cañón Valencia, Giovanni Gnocchi, Zvi Plesser, Michal Shein, Álvaro Bitrán, and Marie Ythier, among others. He was a member of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. In 2024, he participated in the Cellísimo Festival, where he worked with maestros such as Christine Lamprea and Germán Marcano. He was selected for the 2025 Azteca Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto, and for the 2025 OAcademy. He also received a scholarship for his outstanding performance at the 2025 Guadalupe International Music Festival (FIMG).
He is currently in his sixth year of a Bachelor's degree in Cello at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey. He is also a member of the string trio "The Suárez Strings," alongside his father and brother.
At age 7, he began his academic and musical studies at the Alejandro García Caturla School in Cuba, where he also began playing the cello. He was selected out of 200 participants as one of only two accepted to study at this institution.
At age 9, he was selected to continue his musical training in Mexico, enrolling at the Carmen Romano School. Since then, he has studied cello under the tutelage of Marieta Ivanova.
Among his most notable achievements, Daniel was a soloist in 2016 alongside cellist Renata de la Peña in Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cellos, performed with the Children's Orchestra of the Monterrey School of Music and Dance. That same year, he won first place in the institution's National Cello Competition. In 2018, he won third place, and in 2023, second place in the same competition. In 2023, he was also a soloist in Edward Elgar's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in E minor, performed with his school and later with the ISMEA Puebla Orchestra, after winning the Fifth National Soloist Competition in 2024.
He has received masterclasses from renowned cellists such as Steven Isserlis, Santiago Cañón Valencia, Giovanni Gnocchi, Zvi Plesser, Michal Shein, Álvaro Bitrán, and Marie Ythier, among others. He was a member of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. In 2024, he participated in the Cellísimo Festival, where he worked with maestros such as Christine Lamprea and Germán Marcano. He was selected for the 2025 Azteca Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto, and for the 2025 OAcademy. He also received a scholarship for his outstanding performance at the 2025 Guadalupe International Music Festival (FIMG).
He is currently in his sixth year of a Bachelor's degree in Cello at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey. He is also a member of the string trio "The Suárez Strings," alongside his father and brother.
Grecia Villarreal, 23, Mexico
Grecia Villarreal is a cellist originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León. She began her musical studies at age 11 in the Orchestra and Choir of the Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra of Nuevo León. In 2020, she won first place in the youth category (Music) of the Best of QuedARTE at Home competition, organized by the Monterrey School of Music and Dance.
She participated in the 2022 Global String Program at Berklee College of Music, where she took classes with Eugene Friesen, Mimi Rabson, and others.
She has participated in the Cellísimo Festival 2023, the CelloBello Audition Workshop (2023 and 2024), Sinfónica Azteca 2024, the FIVL 2024, and the FIMG 2025, receiving master classes from renowned cellists such as John-Henry Crawford, Valérie Aimard, Giovanni Nocchi, and Zvi Plesser.
She is a Fellow of OAcademy 2025. She is a member of the ESMDM Philharmonic Super Orchestra and has been a guest with the UANL Symphony Orchestra.
She is currently in her seventh year of the Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance at ESMDM, under the direction of Temenuzhka Ostreva.
She participated in the 2022 Global String Program at Berklee College of Music, where she took classes with Eugene Friesen, Mimi Rabson, and others.
She has participated in the Cellísimo Festival 2023, the CelloBello Audition Workshop (2023 and 2024), Sinfónica Azteca 2024, the FIVL 2024, and the FIMG 2025, receiving master classes from renowned cellists such as John-Henry Crawford, Valérie Aimard, Giovanni Nocchi, and Zvi Plesser.
She is a Fellow of OAcademy 2025. She is a member of the ESMDM Philharmonic Super Orchestra and has been a guest with the UANL Symphony Orchestra.
She is currently in her seventh year of the Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance at ESMDM, under the direction of Temenuzhka Ostreva.
Santiago Uribe-Cardona, 24, Colombia/USA
Santiago Uribe-Cardona is a 24-year-old Colombian cellist originally from Cartagena. Passionate about baroque, contemporary, and Latin music, as well as chamber, symphonic, and operatic formats, he began his studies with Professor Andrés Muñoz.
He completed his undergraduate studies in Louisiana under the tutelage of Paul Christopher and recently completed his master's degree with Richard Hirschl, cellist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Santiago's career has led him to perform on prestigious international stages such as the Royal Concertgebouw, the Philharmonie de Paris, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Symphony Center in Chicago, and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He has played with ensembles such as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Shreveport Symphony, the Rapides Symphony, the Texarkana Symphony, the Colombian Youth Philharmonic, and the Cartagena Festival's Orchestra Supernova.
He has complemented his training with master classes from maestros such as John Sharp, Denis Shapovalov, Álvaro Bitran, Santiago Cañón, Paul Kushious, Ilya Fynkelstein, Evelyn Prakke, and Meredith Blecha-Wells.
He completed his undergraduate studies in Louisiana under the tutelage of Paul Christopher and recently completed his master's degree with Richard Hirschl, cellist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Santiago's career has led him to perform on prestigious international stages such as the Royal Concertgebouw, the Philharmonie de Paris, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Symphony Center in Chicago, and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He has played with ensembles such as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Shreveport Symphony, the Rapides Symphony, the Texarkana Symphony, the Colombian Youth Philharmonic, and the Cartagena Festival's Orchestra Supernova.
He has complemented his training with master classes from maestros such as John Sharp, Denis Shapovalov, Álvaro Bitran, Santiago Cañón, Paul Kushious, Ilya Fynkelstein, Evelyn Prakke, and Meredith Blecha-Wells.
Cristhian Requejo, 23, Peru
Born on October 7, 2001, he began his cello studies at Sinfonía por el Perú, where he was part of the Youth Orchestra, serving as principal cello player from 2017 to 2022.
With this orchestra, he toured and performed in concert in Colombia (Medellín), Spain (Madrid), Austria, and Switzerland (2019 and 2022), appearing at the Staad, Salzburg, and Lucerne festivals, accompanying Juan Diego Flórez and conducted by Roberto González-Monjas.
He studied at the National University of Music, completing the ninth cycle of the cello program, under the tutelage of Sammanda Sigüeñas.
In December 2019, he won the Soloist Competition to perform with the Trujillo Symphony Orchestra, which will be held in 2024. He also won the National University of Music Soloist Competition, performing Elgar's Cello Concerto at the Municipal Theater.
He has been a full scholarship recipient at the Ouro Branco (Brazil), Campos do Jordão (Brazil), Orchestra of the Americas (2020), and OACADEMY (2021-2022) festivals, where he earned an Artist Diploma under Ilmari Hopkins, and had the opportunity to share classes with the Harmony Project Foundation.
In 2021, he was a scholarship recipient at the first Cellísimo Festival, where he enriched his knowledge thanks to the classes of its founder, Michal Shein.
From October 2022 to 2025, he was a cello instructor with the Children's Symphony Orchestra for Peru.
Since 2023, he has been a member of the cello division of the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru.
He has received masterclasses from maestros such as Michal Shein, Claudio Bohórquez, Giovanni Gnocchi, Ilmari Hopkins, Steven Isserlis, Alejandro Viana, Jesús Castro-Balbi, and Rolando Fernández.
With this orchestra, he toured and performed in concert in Colombia (Medellín), Spain (Madrid), Austria, and Switzerland (2019 and 2022), appearing at the Staad, Salzburg, and Lucerne festivals, accompanying Juan Diego Flórez and conducted by Roberto González-Monjas.
He studied at the National University of Music, completing the ninth cycle of the cello program, under the tutelage of Sammanda Sigüeñas.
In December 2019, he won the Soloist Competition to perform with the Trujillo Symphony Orchestra, which will be held in 2024. He also won the National University of Music Soloist Competition, performing Elgar's Cello Concerto at the Municipal Theater.
He has been a full scholarship recipient at the Ouro Branco (Brazil), Campos do Jordão (Brazil), Orchestra of the Americas (2020), and OACADEMY (2021-2022) festivals, where he earned an Artist Diploma under Ilmari Hopkins, and had the opportunity to share classes with the Harmony Project Foundation.
In 2021, he was a scholarship recipient at the first Cellísimo Festival, where he enriched his knowledge thanks to the classes of its founder, Michal Shein.
From October 2022 to 2025, he was a cello instructor with the Children's Symphony Orchestra for Peru.
Since 2023, he has been a member of the cello division of the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru.
He has received masterclasses from maestros such as Michal Shein, Claudio Bohórquez, Giovanni Gnocchi, Ilmari Hopkins, Steven Isserlis, Alejandro Viana, Jesús Castro-Balbi, and Rolando Fernández.
Ana Espinosa, 19, Mexico
Ana Espinosa is a 19-year-old Mexican cellist originally from Jilotepec, State of Mexico.
She began playing the cello in 2018, at the age of 13, at the "Dra. Ma. Leticia Salazar de Barrera" Art Academy, under the tutelage of Venezuelan violinist Luis Ibarra Marín and Venezuelan double bassist Carlos Bazán.
In 2019, she performed as a soloist on the radio station of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and attended her first orchestral program, "ELEVARE," in Ajijic, Jalisco, where she met her first cellist teacher, Christopher Ibarra.
Between 2020 and 2021, she participated in several programs organized by the Soloist Orchestra of America (OSA) at the Trinitate and Renacimiento Academy in León, Guanajuato, and Guadalajara, Jalisco. In 2021, she began studying with cellist Jean Carlos Coronado and, in 2022, was selected for the national tour of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM).
In the summer of 2023, she was awarded a scholarship to attend the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix International Academy of Music and Dance in Quebec, Canada. That same year, she was selected for the Sinfonietta at the Morelia Music Festival, an orchestral program conducted by maestro Juan Felipe Molano. She also attended the Guadalajara International Music Festival from 2022 to 2024.
Ana has performed as a substitute with the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (OSEM) and as a guest with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.
Most recently, she appeared as a soloist with the Toluca Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Throughout her training, she has taken master classes with renowned international cellists such as Johannes Moser, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Philippe Muller, Anssi Karttunen, Amit Peled, Inbal Segev, Giovanni Gnocchi, William Molina, Johannes Raab, Daniel Curtaz, and Krzysztof Karpeta, among others.
In September 2024, she began her bachelor's degree in cello instrumentalism at the Conservatory of Music of the State of Mexico, under the guidance of maestro Jean Carlos Coronado.
Since the age of six, Ana has been involved with traditional Mexican music, especially "Son Jarocho," as a percussionist, singer, and "leonera." To this day, she deeply enjoys sharing musical moments in fandango, accompanied by her friends, her cello, and her family.
She began playing the cello in 2018, at the age of 13, at the "Dra. Ma. Leticia Salazar de Barrera" Art Academy, under the tutelage of Venezuelan violinist Luis Ibarra Marín and Venezuelan double bassist Carlos Bazán.
In 2019, she performed as a soloist on the radio station of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and attended her first orchestral program, "ELEVARE," in Ajijic, Jalisco, where she met her first cellist teacher, Christopher Ibarra.
Between 2020 and 2021, she participated in several programs organized by the Soloist Orchestra of America (OSA) at the Trinitate and Renacimiento Academy in León, Guanajuato, and Guadalajara, Jalisco. In 2021, she began studying with cellist Jean Carlos Coronado and, in 2022, was selected for the national tour of the Children's Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM).
In the summer of 2023, she was awarded a scholarship to attend the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix International Academy of Music and Dance in Quebec, Canada. That same year, she was selected for the Sinfonietta at the Morelia Music Festival, an orchestral program conducted by maestro Juan Felipe Molano. She also attended the Guadalajara International Music Festival from 2022 to 2024.
Ana has performed as a substitute with the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (OSEM) and as a guest with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.
Most recently, she appeared as a soloist with the Toluca Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Throughout her training, she has taken master classes with renowned international cellists such as Johannes Moser, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Philippe Muller, Anssi Karttunen, Amit Peled, Inbal Segev, Giovanni Gnocchi, William Molina, Johannes Raab, Daniel Curtaz, and Krzysztof Karpeta, among others.
In September 2024, she began her bachelor's degree in cello instrumentalism at the Conservatory of Music of the State of Mexico, under the guidance of maestro Jean Carlos Coronado.
Since the age of six, Ana has been involved with traditional Mexican music, especially "Son Jarocho," as a percussionist, singer, and "leonera." To this day, she deeply enjoys sharing musical moments in fandango, accompanied by her friends, her cello, and her family.
Anthony Reyes, 22, Venezuela
Born on July 20, 2002, in Barcelona, Anzoátegui, Venezuela, Anthony began his musical studies at the Children's and Youth Orchestras and Choirs System of Venezuela, in Yaracuy State, in 2006. He began in the rhythm band under the guidance of professors Eliezer Encinosa and Ilse Bracho, and later joined the CEAC, where he learned to play the cello with professor Winnie Reyes.
During his training, he has been part of the pre-children's, children's, and youth orchestras of the Yaracuy State Orchestra System, receiving classes from distinguished teachers such as Radnier Vargas, María Cecilia Giménez, Manuel Ustariz, and Luis Carlos Parra.
He has also participated in masterclasses with renowned maestros such as Gabriel Ureña, Daniel Arias, Francy Vázquez, Germán Marcano, Thulio Rondón, Tarsy Mata, Orlando López, Luis Carlos Parra, and Roberto Zambrano, enriching his musical training and achieving significant artistic advancements.
In 2019, Anthony joined the cello department at the San Felipe Regional Academic Center as a FIAM (Comprehensive Academic Music Trainer), where he shares his knowledge with new generations. At the same time, he combines singing with instrumental performance as a member of the Latin Caribbean Orchestra at the same center.
He is currently a member of the cello division of the Francisco de Miranda Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a guest with the Lara State Symphony Orchestra and the Chacao Youth Symphony Orchestra.
In 2023, he participated in the Comprehensive Cycle and Intensive Cello Course at the Caracas String Academy, under the tutelage of Francy Vázquez. In 2024, he participated in the Cellisimo Festival. In early 2025, he participated in the tenth edition of the Ilumina Festival in Brazil, an experience that enriched his professional and artistic development and allowed him to incorporate various methods and theories to improve his performance as a musician and as a human being.
During his training, he has been part of the pre-children's, children's, and youth orchestras of the Yaracuy State Orchestra System, receiving classes from distinguished teachers such as Radnier Vargas, María Cecilia Giménez, Manuel Ustariz, and Luis Carlos Parra.
He has also participated in masterclasses with renowned maestros such as Gabriel Ureña, Daniel Arias, Francy Vázquez, Germán Marcano, Thulio Rondón, Tarsy Mata, Orlando López, Luis Carlos Parra, and Roberto Zambrano, enriching his musical training and achieving significant artistic advancements.
In 2019, Anthony joined the cello department at the San Felipe Regional Academic Center as a FIAM (Comprehensive Academic Music Trainer), where he shares his knowledge with new generations. At the same time, he combines singing with instrumental performance as a member of the Latin Caribbean Orchestra at the same center.
He is currently a member of the cello division of the Francisco de Miranda Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a guest with the Lara State Symphony Orchestra and the Chacao Youth Symphony Orchestra.
In 2023, he participated in the Comprehensive Cycle and Intensive Cello Course at the Caracas String Academy, under the tutelage of Francy Vázquez. In 2024, he participated in the Cellisimo Festival. In early 2025, he participated in the tenth edition of the Ilumina Festival in Brazil, an experience that enriched his professional and artistic development and allowed him to incorporate various methods and theories to improve his performance as a musician and as a human being.
Camila Churqui, 20, Bolivia
Camila Churqui, 20, is a Bolivian cellist who began her musical studies at the age of 10 at the Bolivia Clásica Foundation. Since then, she has trained under the tutelage of renowned cellist Andrea García.
She has been a member of the Bolivia Clásica preparatory and youth chamber orchestras, conducted by Armando Vera.
She has also participated in master classes with prominent instrumentalists such as Michel Strauss, Clara Strauss, and Willem Stam.
Camila has had the opportunity to perform at various international festivals, including the International Music to Breathe Festival "Promesas," the 14th Misiones de Chiquitos International Festival of American Renaissance and Baroque Music, and the Bolivia Clásica Festival "Takuapu."
She has been a member of the Bolivia Clásica preparatory and youth chamber orchestras, conducted by Armando Vera.
She has also participated in master classes with prominent instrumentalists such as Michel Strauss, Clara Strauss, and Willem Stam.
Camila has had the opportunity to perform at various international festivals, including the International Music to Breathe Festival "Promesas," the 14th Misiones de Chiquitos International Festival of American Renaissance and Baroque Music, and the Bolivia Clásica Festival "Takuapu."
Festival Attendees 2025
Angel Bustillos, 21, Mexico (Cellisimo 2022, 2023)
A young musician originally from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, he began playing the cello at age 12 in the "Esperanza Azteca" project with maestro Sergio Carmona. He currently resides in Monterrey and is under the tutelage of Maestro Temenuzhka Ostreva at the Monterrey School of Music and Dance, where he is in his sixth year of the Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance and is studying a Bachelor's Degree in Music Technology and Production (LTM) at the Tecnológico de Monterrey. First place winner in the 2023 and 2021 National Cello Competitions, in the 16-19 and 20-25 age categories. Winner of the Best Performance of a Mexican Piece Award at the competition in 2021. He is Principal Cellist of the "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 Orchestra of the Americas 2024 in a Michigan residency where he performed as Principal Cello in concert with Yo-Yo Ma and Kayhan Kalhor, the Azteca Symphony Orchestra 2022, the Mexican Children's Symphony Orchestra on three occasions (from 2018 to 2020), the Mexico-USA Youth Philharmonic Orchestra "The Bridge", the Francisco Villa Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra, and the Sul-Ponticello Cello Octet. He has also been principal cellist in two Monterrey Ballet productions: Swan Lake (2022) and the recording and premiere of the Mexican ballet Maximilian and Carlota (2023). He has also appeared as a guest with the Chihuahua State Philharmonic Orchestra, the Autonomous University of Chihuahua Symphony Orchestra, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León Symphony Orchestra, and the Arewá Camerata. 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 Virtual Cellisimo Festival (2022 and 2023); the CelloBello Audition Preparation Workshop (2022); the International Festival del Lago: Academy of Music (2021); the Guadalajara International Music Festival (2022), from which he received the Excellence Scholarship; and the Chihuahua International Festival and the Chihuahua New Art Festival (both in 2017). Festivals where he has received 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 Tecnológico de Monterrey, he has participated in important productions with the Symphony Orchestra, as well as in Musical Theater and Ensemble Concerts, which have earned him nominations in all three categories at the Maldonado Gala. He has also won the 2023 Best Male Principal and 2022 Best Newcomer in Musical Theater Music.
Ángel Bustillos, La Superior National Cello Competition 2023
He has been a member of the organizing committee of the León International Cello Festival in Guanajuato since last year, working in the Outreach and Promotion department, as well as the festival's Social Media.
Ángel Bustillos, La Superior National Cello Competition 2023
He has been a member of the organizing committee of the León International Cello Festival in Guanajuato since last year, working in the Outreach and Promotion department, as well as the festival's Social Media.
Stephanny Mata, 26, Venezuela (Cellisimo 2022)
Stephanny Mata es una cellista venezolana, integrante de El Sistema de Orquestas, desde los 4 años. Allí ha tenido su formación musical continua desde el nivel inicial hasta el nivel profesional. Fue miembro de la Orquesta Regional Juvenil Evencio Castellanos, con la cual debutó como solista en la Sala Simón Bolivar del centro de acción social por la música, el Concierto de Saint Saens para cello y orquesta, en el año 2015.
Desde el año 2017 hasta el inicio del 2025, fue miembro de la Orquesta Sinfónica Venezuela, donde tuvo un amplio desempeño musical junto a pioneros de la música en Venezuela, siendo seleccionada en el 2018 como Asistente al Principal de fila.
Participó como becaria en el Festival Cellísimo (2022). Participó en el Audition Preparation Workshop de Cello Bello en los años 2022 y 2023, recibiendo clases magistrales e individuales de los profesores Amir Eldan, Brandon Vamos, Julie Albers y Daniel McDonough.
Actualmente es miembro de la Orquesta de Cámaras Simón Bolívar, orquesta, pionera de El Sistema de Orquestas, con quienes ya realizó su primera gira en el teatro de la Ópera de Argelia. Es estudiante de la cátedra de cellos del profesor César Giuliani, miembro de la Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolivar.
Es graduada del Conservatorio Simón Bolivar en el año 2023 y se encuentra cursando su último año de la licenciatura en música de la Unearte.
Ha recibido clases magistrales e individuales con maestros como: Germán Marcano, Michal Shein, Francisco Vila, Francy Vazquez, Juan José Romero, Aristides Rivas, Kevin Guerra, Jamal Aliyev y Luca Franzeti.
Desde el año 2017 hasta el inicio del 2025, fue miembro de la Orquesta Sinfónica Venezuela, donde tuvo un amplio desempeño musical junto a pioneros de la música en Venezuela, siendo seleccionada en el 2018 como Asistente al Principal de fila.
Participó como becaria en el Festival Cellísimo (2022). Participó en el Audition Preparation Workshop de Cello Bello en los años 2022 y 2023, recibiendo clases magistrales e individuales de los profesores Amir Eldan, Brandon Vamos, Julie Albers y Daniel McDonough.
Actualmente es miembro de la Orquesta de Cámaras Simón Bolívar, orquesta, pionera de El Sistema de Orquestas, con quienes ya realizó su primera gira en el teatro de la Ópera de Argelia. Es estudiante de la cátedra de cellos del profesor César Giuliani, miembro de la Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolivar.
Es graduada del Conservatorio Simón Bolivar en el año 2023 y se encuentra cursando su último año de la licenciatura en música de la Unearte.
Ha recibido clases magistrales e individuales con maestros como: Germán Marcano, Michal Shein, Francisco Vila, Francy Vazquez, Juan José Romero, Aristides Rivas, Kevin Guerra, Jamal Aliyev y Luca Franzeti.
Nancy Olivares, 23, Mexico (Cellisimo 2021, 2022, 2023)
Nancy Olivares is a distinguished 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 won third place in the National String Quartet Competition in Mexico, being the youngest ensemble in that edition. At 16, she made her solo debut with the Youth Orchestra of the Monterrey School of Music and Dance. Nancy began her musical training at the age of 5 and began studying the cello at the age of 7 under the tutelage of maestro 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 Orquesta Sinfónica Infantil de México for 3 consecutive years where she obtained the position of principal cellist. Later, she served in the same role in the Sinfónica Azteca in 2021 and 2023 under the direction of the renowned Paolo Bortolameoli. She has been principal cellist in various orchestras, including the Orquesta Filarmónica de '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 in her first year of a master's degree under the guidance of Michal Shein.
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