Praised by The New York Times for having "traversed the palette of emotions" with "gorgeous tone and an edge-of-seat intensity," GRAMMY® nominated Spanish-born cellist and composer Andrea Casarrubios has played as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. First Prize winner of numerous international competitions and awards, Casarrubios has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Piatigorsky, Ravinia, and Verbier Festivals. Her latest engagements include commissions and concerts in Mexico, Spain, Romania, Belgium, Germany, Canada, and the United States.

Casarrubios' compositions have been programmed by organizations such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, National Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Sphinx Organization, Washington Performing Arts, the European Parliament, NPR, and the Argentinian, Brazilian and Spanish National Radios. Her album Caminante: Music of Andrea Casarrubios presents some of her own original music and it was chosen as one of the "Best 2019 Classical Music Albums" by Australia's ABC Classic, celebrating her artistry as "superhuman." Her acclaimed piece SEVEN "an intense and elegiac tribute to the essential workers during the pandemic" (The New York Times) was commissioned by Thomas Mesa, receiving its Carnegie Hall premiere in 2021. SEVEN has been performed around the world since and has been nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® Awards. Other recent original works include the orchestra version of Afilador (2022-23) commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for MusicNOW, and Herencia for String Orchestra (2023), a "stirring creation" (The Strad) commissioned for Sphinx Virtuosi's 2023-24 tour and premiered at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium in 2023.

As a guest soloist at Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Casarrubios premiered her own Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, a large-scale work that she will perform with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in 2025. Other recent appearances as a cellist include performances of Franz Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata arranged for cello and orchestra by Casarrubios herself, Osvaldo Golijov's Azul with conductor Sameer Patel, as well as duo recital programs featuring her own music alongside works by Luiggi Boccherini, Nadia Boulanger, Manuel de Falla and Xavier Foley. Her 2024 album, SEVEN works by Andrea Casarrubios, includes seven of her most recent pieces featuring stunning collaborations with Manhattan Chamber Players and artists from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

A dedicated mentor, Casarrubios has taught masterclasses at numerous festivals and institutions, including The Juilliard School, University of Southern California, University of North Carolina, Missouri State University and City University of New York. Her cello teachers have included Maria de Macedo, Lluis Claret, Amit Peled, Marcy Rosen, and Ralph Kirshbaum. She is an alumna of Ensemble Connect, and as part of her Doctoral degree in New York, Casarrubios also studied composition with John Corigliano.

1813–1883

Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, and theatre director, renowned for his operatic masterpieces that revolutionized Western music and drama. Born on May 22, 1813, in Leipzig, Germany, Wagner showed early interest in music but initially aspired to be a playwright. His eventual shift to music combined his passion for drama, resulting in operas that emphasized a synthesis of music, poetry, and stagecraft, known as the "Gesamtkunstwerk" (total work of art).

Wagner's most celebrated works include his monumental opera cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen", the romantic opera "Tristan und Isolde", and the grand "Parsifal". His innovations, such as the use of leitmotifs—musical themes associated with specific characters or ideas—and the expansion of harmonic language, had a profound influence on subsequent composers, including Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss.

Wagner's life was as dramatic as his operas. His political activism led to exile, and his controversial writings, especially on anti-Semitism, cast a shadow on his legacy. Despite this, his contributions to music and theater remain pivotal.

Richard Wagner died on February 13, 1883, in Venice, Italy, leaving behind a lasting and polarizing legacy. His operas are performed worldwide and continue to inspire debate and admiration.

b. 1950

Arturo Márquez is a renowned Mexican composer celebrated for his works that blend classical music traditions with the vibrant rhythms and melodies of Latin American dance forms. Born on December 20, 1950, in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico, Márquez grew up in a musical environment; his father was a mariachi musician and his grandfather a folk musician. This early exposure to traditional music deeply influenced his compositions.

Márquez's music is characterized by its rhythmic vitality, rich orchestration, and incorporation of popular Mexican and Latin American styles, such as danzón and son. His most famous piece, "Danzón No. 2", is a staple in concert halls around the world and has become an emblem of contemporary Mexican classical music. This work, inspired by the danzón dance tradition originating in Cuba and embraced in Mexico, beautifully captures the elegance and passion of the genre.

Márquez studied music at the Mexican Conservatory of Music and continued his education in Paris and at the California Institute of the Arts, where he honed his craft and explored various musical styles. His compositions span orchestral works, chamber music, and film scores, often reflecting his deep connection to his cultural roots.

A recipient of numerous awards, including the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in Fine Arts (2014) and a Latin Grammy, Márquez is celebrated as one of Latin America’s most significant contemporary composers. His work continues to inspire audiences worldwide, bridging the gap between classical music and traditional folk expressions.

James Barralet is a distinguished cellist and composer known for his dynamic performances and innovative compositions that transcend traditional boundaries. Based in the United Kingdom, Barralet has built an impressive career as a soloist, chamber musician, and composer, earning recognition for his creative approach to both the cello repertoire and contemporary music.

As a cellist, Barralet has performed extensively across Europe, Asia, and beyond, showcasing his virtuosity and deep musicality. He is equally at home with classical masterpieces and modern works, often incorporating improvisation and original arrangements into his performances. His artistry has earned him accolades in international competitions, and he frequently collaborates with prominent orchestras, chamber ensembles, and solo artists.

In addition to his work as a performer, Barralet is an accomplished composer and arranger. His compositions reflect a wide range of influences, blending elements of classical, folk, and contemporary music. His arrangements for cello and other instruments have been praised for their ingenuity and expressiveness, expanding the possibilities of the cello repertoire.

James Barralet is also a dedicated teacher and mentor, inspiring the next generation of musicians through his masterclasses and workshops. His passion for music and commitment to innovation continue to make him a vital and influential figure in the world of classical and contemporary music.

1921 - 1992

Astor Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. An excellent bandoneonist, he regularly performed his own compositions with different ensembles. He is known in his native land as “El Gran Astor” (“The Great Astor”).

Born in Argentina in 1921 to immigrant Italian parents, Piazzolla spent most of his childhood with his family in New York City. While there, he acquired fluency in four languages: Spanish, English, French, and Italian. He also started playing the bandoneon, quickly rising to the status of child prodigy. He returned to Argentina in 1937, where strictly traditional tango still reigned, and played in night clubs with a series of groups. The pianist Arthur Rubinstein (then living in Buenos Aires) advised him to study with the Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera. Delving into scores of Stravinsky, Bartók, Ravel, and others, he gave up tango temporarily and worked as a modernist classical composer.

After winning a grant from the French government to study in Paris with the French composer and conductor Nadia Boulanger, he returned to Argentina in 1955, formed the Octeto Buenos Aires to play tangos, and never looked back. Upon introducing his new approach to the tango (nuevo tango), he became a controversial figure among Argentines both musically and politically. The Argentine saying “in Argentina everything may change – except the tango” suggests some of the resistance he found in his native land. However, his music gained acceptance in Europe and North America, and his reworking of the tango was embraced by some liberal segments of Argentine society, who were pushing for political changes in parallel to his musical revolution.

Piazzolla’s nuevo tango was distinct from the traditional tango in its incorporation of elements of jazz, its use of extended harmonies and dissonance, its use of counterpoint, and its ventures into extended compositional forms. Piazzolla also introduced new instruments that were not used in the traditional tango, including the flute, saxophone, electric guitar, electronic instruments, and a full jazz/rock drum kit.

Piazzolla played with numerous ensembles beginning with the 1946 Orchestra, the 1955 “Octeto Buenos Aires”, the 1960 “First Quintet”, the 1971 “Noneto”, the 1978 “Second Quintet” and the 1989 “Sextet”. As well as providing original compositions and arrangements, he was the director and Bandoneon player in all of them. He also recorded an album with the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma and another one with jazz sax player Gerry Mulligan. His numerous compositions include orchestral work such as the “Concierto para Bandoneón, Orquesta, Cuerdas y Percusión”, “Doble-Concierto para Bandoneón y Guitarra”, “Tres Tangos Sinfónicos” and “Concierto de Nácar para 9 Tanguistas y Orquesta”, as well as song-form compositions that still today are well known by the general public in his country, like “Balada para un loco” (Ballad for a madman) and “Adiós Nonino” (dedicated to his grandfather) which he recorded many times with different musicians and ensembles. Biographers estimate that Piazzolla wrote around 3,000 pieces and recorded around 500.

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, also known as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, she rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead vocalist of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. The group achieved worldwide success with hits like "Say My Name," "Survivor," and "Bootylicious."

After Destiny's Child disbanded, Beyoncé launched her solo career with her debut album, "Dangerously in Love" (2003), which featured chart-topping hits like "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy." The album cemented her as a solo superstar and earned her five Grammy Awards. Over the years, she has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "B'Day" (2006), "I Am... Sasha Fierce" (2008), "4" (2011), "BEYONCÉ" (2013), "Lemonade" (2016), and "Renaissance" (2022). Her work is celebrated for its fusion of R&B, pop, hip-hop, and soul, as well as its themes of empowerment, love, and resilience.

Beyoncé is widely recognized for her electrifying stage presence, innovative music videos, and meticulous artistry. She has become an influential cultural icon, often using her platform to advocate for social justice, feminism, and Black empowerment. Her 2016 visual album "Lemonade" is a landmark work exploring themes of infidelity, healing, and racial identity, accompanied by a critically acclaimed film.

In addition to her music, Beyoncé has also achieved success as an actress, starring in films like "Dreamgirls" (2006), "Cadillac Records" (2008), and Disney's "The Lion King" (2019). She has also built a fashion and business empire, launching the Ivy Park clothing line and serving as a role model for women entrepreneurs.

With 32 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé is the most-awarded artist in Grammy history. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide and remains one of the best-selling artists of all time. Her impact on music, culture, and society is immeasurable, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of her generation.

ABBA is a legendary Swedish pop group that became one of the most successful and iconic bands in music history. The group, formed in Stockholm in 1972, consists of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Their name is an acronym derived from the first letters of their first names. Known for their infectious melodies, lush harmonies, and polished production, ABBA's music has transcended generations and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

ABBA's breakthrough came in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit song "Waterloo." This victory catapulted them to international fame, and they went on to dominate the charts throughout the 1970s and early 1980s with timeless hits like "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Take a Chance on Me," and "The Winner Takes It All."

The group's music is characterized by its blend of pop, disco, and rock influences, as well as its emotionally resonant lyrics. Benny and Björn were the primary songwriters, while Agnetha and Anni-Frid's vocal harmonies became a hallmark of their sound.

ABBA disbanded in 1982, but their music saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to the "Mamma Mia!" musical and film adaptations, which introduced their catalog to new audiences. In 2021, the group made a historic comeback with their album "Voyage," their first studio release in nearly 40 years, alongside the launch of a groundbreaking virtual concert experience in London.

With over 400 million records sold, ABBA remains one of the best-selling music acts of all time. Their legacy endures as a symbol of joyful, timeless pop music that continues to inspire fans and artists alike.

Matthew Armbruster has performed across the United States and Europe. He is a cellist in the Austin Symphony Orchestra and is a co-founder of Tetractys New Music. He has appeared with the National Repertory Orchestra, Castleton Festival Orchestra, Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival, and the Penderecki Academy Orchestra as principal cellist, where he collaborated closely with renowned composer and conductor Kryztof Penderecki. He was previously a member of the 2013 San Francisco Academy Orchestra, where he was featured as a soloist in the second performance of Mark Volkert’s Pandora along with principal members of the San Francisco Symphony. Matthew holds a Masters of Music degree from the University of Texas and a Bachelors of Music from the University of Michigan. His principal teachers include Bion Tsang, Amos Yang, Anthony Elliott, Janos Starker, and John Kaboff.

Cory Blais is a founding member of Austin Camerata. His work with Austin Camerata has lead to regular collaboration with Austin dance company Ventana Ballet, where creative projects often involve taking works written for solo cello and turning them into collaborative performances paired with various styles of dance. With a few friends, Cory founded an award winning piano trio in 2017. When he isn't performing in chamber music concerts with his friends, he serves as principal cellist of the Temple Symphony and Temple Symphony String Quartet and can also be seen playing in the cello sections of the Austin, Georgetown, and Waco Symphonies. Cory teaches cello at the Greater Austin Music Academy as well as the Academie Musique in Temple, Texas. He received his graduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University.

Rylie's recent cello travels have taken her to beaches of the Caribbean, Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador, Italy, Switzerland, and all across the United States. Dr. Rylie Harrod works regularly as a session musician and as a string lead for NYC based entertainment powerhouse, Élan Artists. Recent collaborations have been with Austin Camerata, the Ventana Ballet, and the Serenata Concert Series where she performed tangos and other latin american works. She played as an orchestral musician for many years, formerly holding the position of Principal Cellist at the Waco Symphony Orchestra, along with substitute roles in the Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio Philharmonic, Tucson Symphony, and The Phoenix Symphony. When not freelancing, Rylie is running a busy private teaching studio and is also a teacher at Suzuki Strings of Austin. Students of Rylie’s have recently soloed at Carnegie Hall, have received first chair in Region Orchestra and have placed in the Texas All-State Orchestra. Past students have continued to both minor and major in Cello Performance and Music Education degrees across the country. Rylie holds performance degrees from the Royal Academy of Music in London, Arizona State University, and The University of Texas. In her free time, Rylie greatly enjoys being a ceramic artist, spending time near the ocean, drinking lattes, being with her dogs, and nurturing her plants.

Hyugrai "Ray" Kim, a native of South Korea, joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

In his early years, Mr. Kim won the First Prize in the Korean Music Concours and the Third Prize in the Pho-Ne Classic Competition in South Korea. At the age of 14, he made his debut with the Seoul Royal Symphony Orchestra, performing Haydn's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in C major at the Young-San Art Hall.

Mr. Kim's musical pursuits encompass a comprehensive exploration of classical music repertoires. He extensively studied piano trio repertoire with members of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and delved into string repertoire with members of the Cleveland, Cavani, Ying, and Miro quartets.

His career includes performances at notable music festivals, including the Austin Camerata, Caroga Lake Music Festival, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Festival Mozaic, Grand Teton, and the Pacific Music Festival.

He holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music (BM), the Eastman School of Music (MM), and the University of Texas at Austin (DMA).

Mr. Kim's commitment to music education is evident through his roles as a teaching assistant to cellists Steven Doane and Bion Tsang during his studies at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Texas at Austin, respectively. He also served as a member of the teaching staff at the University of Texas at Austin, where he provided individual and group cello lessons and contributed to the faculty of the String Project at the University of Texas at Austin for three years.

Daniel Kopp, co-founder and artistic director of Austin Camerata, is an active cellist and educator in Austin, Texas. A dedicated chamber musician, he has performed across the country at Tanglewood, Aspen, and Kneisel Hall. Notable performances include his Carnegie Hall debut as principal cellist for the New York String Orchestra Seminar and Seiji Ozawa Hall as principal cellist of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. Through Austin Camerata, Daniel creates collaborations of chamber music, dance, and storytelling at venues across central Texas. Austin Camerata has been praised for its “unadulterated beauty” and nominated by the Austin Critics Table for "best classical ensemble." A devoted educator, Daniel is on faculty at the Opus 1 Chamber Music School, Clavier-Werke School of Music, and Austin Chamber Music Center, where he coaches chamber music and maintains a private cello studio.

Cellist Amy Levine-Tsang enjoys an active career as both chamber musician and teacher. She performs regularly with the ensemble of the Austin Chamber Music Center and has collaborated with the Brentano, Daedalus, Cassatt, Colorado, and Meridian string quartets, and the New Jersey Chamber Music Society.

Amy is a former member of the Richardson Chamber Players, and a founding member of the award-winning Laurel Trio. During the summers, she has performed at numerous festivals, including the Marlboro Music Festival, the Gearhart Chamber Music Festival, the Portland Chamber Music Festival, the Cactus Pear Music Festival, Music in the Vineyards, and the Laurel Festival of the Arts.

Amy formerly taught cello at Princeton University, and now teaches out of her home studio in Austin. Some of her most dedicated students have gone on to major in cello performance at schools such as Boston Conservatory, Cleveland Institute, Eastman, Northwestern University, TCU, UNT and UT Austin.

Anna Park is the Assistant Principal cellist of the Austin Symphony. A versatile performer with a rich orchestral and chamber music background, she has performed with numerous esteemed ensembles, including the Houston Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, International Contemporary Ensemble, Artosphere Festival Orchestra, and Austin Opera. Anna is passionate about community engagement, performing regularly at schools, libraries, and community concert spaces to bring music to every corner of the community. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Peabody Conservatory and her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. Her most influential teachers include Carole Neuen-Rabinowitz, Martha Gerschefski, Alan Stepansky, and Hans Jørgen Jensen. Outside of music, Anna is a houseplant enthusiast and enjoys life with her husband, Frank, and their two dogs, Pete and Birdie.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, cellist Tsz To Wong is one of the rising-stars in his generation. With generous support from the James and Caroline Taylor Fellowship, Tsz To was an instrumental fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center for multiple summers, working and performing with leading musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Andris Nelsons, Emanuel Ax, Astrid Schween, and Sibbi Bernhardsson. As the recipient of the Asian Cultural Council Hong Kong Arts Circle Fellowship and the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Music Scholarship, Tsz To is also awarded the Gold Prize of the Cleveland Cello Society Competition, First Place of the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, and the second runner-up in the Getting to Carnegie Cello Competition in New York. Tsz To is currently a Doctoral candidate at University of Texas at Austin, where he worked for three years as the Teaching Assistant of Bion Tsang. Tsz To also holds graduate degrees from Rice University and Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Norman Fischer and Mark Kosower. Outside of his musical life, Tsz To also follows NBA basketball diligently.