CelloFest explores the dynamic range of the cello, versatile enough to capture the symphonic breadth of an orchestra, the intimacy of a vocalist, and the adrenaline of an electric guitar. Fan favorites by Queen and the Beatles are featured, but the center stone of the program is a set of tango pieces, The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, by Astor Piazzolla. By fusing elements of classical and jazz with Argentinian tango, Piazolla pioneers a new sound world for exploring the majestic nature of summer, autumn, winter, and spring.
Participating Cellists:
Anna Park
Cory Blais (MM ’19)
Daniel Kopp (MM ’18)
Denise Ro
Kelvin Lee (MM ’19, AD ’22)
Matthew Armbruster (MM ’17)
Matthew Gustafson (MM ’21)
Ye Young Yoo (DMA ’23)
For ticket and more information visit www.eventbrite.com.
Doug Machiz (MM ’11), with his San Francisco-based Friction Quartet, open their 21-22 concert season with a performance of 6 premieres. For ticket, venue and more information, visit 
Jeffrey Wang (MM ’05) has been appointed Principal Cellist of the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra. Founded in 1944 by George M. Ross, the SPO is led today by Music Director and Conductor Adam Stern, who joined the orchestra for its 60th anniversary season in 2003. More than seven decades after it was founded, the SPO continues to thrive as an assembly of professional and non-professional performers bringing affordable performances of classical music to the community. The orchestra is still composed of accountants, physicians, teachers, homemakers… people from all walks of life who share a love of music.
Nora Karakousoglou (DMA ’16) has won a section cello position in the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Founded in 1968 and led by Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan and Resident Conductor Michael Laus, the MP) performs MPO averages more than one performance a week including symphonic concerts, opera productions in Malta and Gozo, community outreach and educational initiatives, as well as various concerts of a lighter nature. The orchestra has performed in leading venues across the globe, including in the United States, Russia, Germany, Austria, China, Italy, and Belgium, and presently embarks on at least one international tour each concert season.
Seth Russell (DMA ’19) has won the Principal Cello position in the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1948 and led by music director Edvard Tchivzhel, the Greenville Symphony performs 35 concerts per season, serves nearly 28,000 children and adults in upstate South Carolina through more than 150 events (all at no cost to participants) and, with its home at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, draws more than 30,000 people to downtown Greenville every concert season.
Bobae Lee (DMA ’23), with her Risus Quartet, has won the Senior Strings Division gold medal and Grand Prize at the 48th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Founded in Seoul in 2020, the Risus Quartet comprises of violinists Haeni Lee and Jieun Yoo, violist Mary Eunkyung Chang and cellist Bobae Lee. The UT Butler School based ensemble will receive US$13,500 plus a number of important domestic and international performance opportunities. Congratulations to Bobae, and a big thank you to their coaches, Professors Daniel Ching and Sandy Yamamoto!
Longhorn Cellos 