Villa-Lobos International
Chamber Music Festival

Artists

• Lars Hoefs, artistic director/cello

  American cellist Lars Hoefs, professor of cello and music history at Sao Paulo State University in Campinas, Brazil, performs and teaches in South America, the United States, and Europe. Lars has established himself as a leading expert on the cello repertoire of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos and is artistic director of the annual Villa-Lobos International Chamber Music Festival in Southern California, the only festival dedicated to Latin American chamber music in the United States, already in its sixth year. Lars also actively promotes contemporary Brazilian music, premiering many works for cello and chamber ensemble by composers Liduino Pitombeira, Joao Guilherme Ripper, and Paulo C. Chagas among others.

  As soloist in Brazil, in recent years Lars has performed concerti by Haydn, Schumann, Saint-Saens, Lalo, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Elgar, and Villa-Lobos with orchestras throughout the country. Notably Lars gave the South American premiere of Korngold’s Cello Concerto with the Orquestra Sinfonica Municipal of Campinas. Lars is a frequent guest at the Rio International Cello Encounters and the Festival Virtuosi in Recife, and in 2009, Lars spent the year as co-principal cellist of the Orquestra Sinfonica Brasileira in Rio de Janeiro under conductor Roberto Minczuk.

  Originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, Lars earned his high school diploma at the North Carolina School of the Arts, a Bachelors from Northwestern University studying with Hans Jorgen Jensen, and both Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he studied with former Los Angeles Philharmonic principal cellist Ronald Leonard. At Sao Paulo State University in Campinas, Lars founded and leads the Unicamp Cello Ensemble, a conductorless cello orchestra consisting of his current and former cello students. The Unicamp Cello Ensemble has performed at Brazil’s most prestigious festivals and concert halls including the Campos do Jordao Winter Music Festival, the Rio International Cello Encounters, and the Sao Paulo Cultural Center to name a few. In 2016 they recorded a CD of world premiere recordings, featuring Lalo Schifrin’s Divertimento, and toured throughout the state of Sao Paulo. Lars is also active as a researcher, publishing papers on the cello repertoire of Villa-Lobos including a feature article in The Strad magazine about the history of the cello ensemble.

• Aline Alves, piano

  Pianist Aline Alves earned a doctorate in musicology from the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), a masters in piano performance from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) and a bachelors in piano from the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), where she served as pianist for the UFU Percussion Ensemble from 2007-09. Her piano mentors and professors have included Araceli Chacon, Mônica Hassan e Maurícy Martin. Recent performances included concerts for the Villa-Lobos Museum, the Brazilian National Association of Music Research (ANPPOM), the Brazilian Association of Musical Performance (ABRAPEM), and the Villa-Lobos Symposium at Sao Paulo University. In addition to performing, she maintains intense activity as piano professor for her private studio in Campinas. She recently served as substitute professor of piano for 3 semesters at the Universidade Estadual Paulista. In 2023 she released three albums with cellist Lars Hoefs of music by Villa-Lobos as well as world premiere recordings of living Brazilian composers.

• David Buckley, violin

  David Buckley, violin, is an experienced chamber musician, soloist and orchestral player. He is currently Co-Concertmaster of the La Jolla Symphony with whom he has also been a featured soloist. He has also performed locally with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Buckley has been featured in all Camarada seasons and has special expertise in flute/violin repertoire. In addition to music, Dr. Buckley is president of Radiology Medical Group and has served as chief of radiology at Scripps Mercy Hospital. Dr. Buckley is a summa cum laude graduate of St. Olaf College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. His MD is from the University of Minnesota where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. In San Diego he has been honored twice as a top doctor by the members of the San Diego County Medical Society. Dr. Buckley enjoys travel, golf and relaxing by the lake in his home state of Minnesota.

• Rose Chen, piano

  Rose’s music journey began at the age of 6 when she started playing the piano and picked up the oboe as her secondary instrument 3 years later. After winning numerous solo piano awards as a teenager and making her solo debut at the National Concert Hall in her native Taiwan, Rose came to the United States in 1997. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and Masters Degree at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In 2010 she completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts with full-scholarship at the prestigious USC Thornton School of Music. She was awarded the Outstanding Graduate in the USC doctoral program.

  Rose has performed as a soloist and chamber player in Canada, Austria, Brazil, France, Israel, Hong Kong, and China. Within the United States Rose was an artist-faculty at several music festivals held in Alaska, Texas, and California. In addition to her lifelong interest in western classical music, Rose’s eclectic taste in music encompasses a variety of styles and genres. Her recent projects include composing and recording music for a short film called Tasting Wednesday, the world premier of Suite Adeline for solo piano by techno pioneer Bruce Haack (1931-1988), recording an album (with cellist Dr. Lars Hoefs) dedicated entirely to the piano-cello works by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, producing annual concerts honoring Black History Month, and numerous choral arrangements of Taiwanese popular/folk songs.

  Rose is currently a music theory and piano faculty at Cypress College in Orange County and the pianist/music director at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. Rose also enjoys singing and directs several choirs in San Gabriel area.

• Ching-Ming Cheng, piano

  In 2023, Dr. Cheng was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame, a prestigious designation recognizing the work of North America’s most committed and passionate piano educators. Dr. Cheng has been a recipient of the Top Music Teacher Award from Steinway & Sons every year since 2016.  Being a Full Professor at CSU San Marcos and currently the chair of the Music Department, Dr. Cheng was the recipient of the CSUSM President’s Outstanding Faculty Award in Service Leadership in 2021. Dr. Cheng is now the Faculty Director on the CSU San Marcos Foundation Board.

  As a dedicated performer and educator, Dr. Ching-Ming Cheng has made many accomplishments throughout the world. She is an active pianist, collaborative performer and a committed teacher who has an enthusiastic heart for sharing her profession with others. In her current position as a Full Professor of Music at California State University San Marcos, she has contributed to make the Music Major a reality, also successfully raised funds by performing private concerts to build a brand new music lab on campus as well as to establish the first All-Steinway School in the region. Dr. Cheng completed her first Asia concert tour in 2018 playing a series of solo recitals in Taiwan and Japan. In 2023, she toured southern California with her colleague Dr. Janet Kao from Chapman University performing piano four-hand concerts at CSUSM, Fullerton College, Vista Library and Nixon Library.

  Starting her musical training at the age of 5, Dr. Cheng was soon chosen to attend the music talent class to begin her musical journey. She won her first prize in Taipei Music Competition in her early teens and continued to receive many other awards. Her most recent competition prize was a silver medal in 2013 International Keyboard Odyssiad Piano Competition held in Colorado. Her honors also include the performance at the annual retreat in San Diego by North America Taiwanese Professor Association, participation in the Second Chinese International Piano Competition in New York City, representing Taiwan, the master-classes in Eureka, California by the Music Teacher Association of California, jurisdiction at the Youth Concert Concerto Competition hosted by Eureka Symphony and the Humboldt State University Aria/Concerto Competition in California, premier performance at the Annual International Computer Music Conference and the University of Miami Society of Composers, Inc. in Coral Gables, Florida.

  Dr. Cheng has been featured in various performances both as a soloist and collaborative pianist around the world. In 2024, Dr. Cheng performed with Eugene Drucker, founder/violinist of the Emerson String Quartet, at the Center for the Arts Escondido. In 2023, Dr. Cheng toured with Dr. Janet Kao in Southern California with a piano four-hand program. In 2018, Dr. Cheng completed an Asia tour with solo recitals in Taiwan and Japan. In July 2016, Dr. Cheng was invited to tour as the featured pianist with the Poway Symphonette to China, performing at prestigious venues such as Xian National Concert Hall and Shanghai Oriental Art Center. She has also collaborated with world renowned saxophonist Kenneth Radnofsky on a local tour to perform at UCLA, SDSU and CSUSM. Other performances include Beethoven Emperor Piano Concerto with Poway Symphony, Beethoven Choral Fantasy with Center Chorale in Escondido, Steinway Series at Palomar College, Piano Recital at Fullerton College, Piano Recital at Broward College, Arts and Lectures series at CSUSM, Opening Concerts for San Diego Taiwanese American Heritage Week, Retreat Concerts of North America Taiwanese Professor Association in San Diego, National Taiwan Normal University Music Festival in Taipei, Taiwan, the Faculty Artist Series at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, the MTAC north regional conference in Santa Clara University and Diablo Valley College in California, Piano Texas Festival at Texas Christian University in Texas, Art Basel Festival and New World Symphony at Lincoln Theater in Miami Beach, Florida, Yamaha Concert Series at Yamaha Piano Music Center in Coral Gables, Florida, and Artist-In-Residence Series of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei, Taiwan. Her concerto performances include working with Humboldt Symphony, Poway Symphony, Palomar Symphony and CSUSM Wind Ensemble.

  In addition to actively performing, Dr. Cheng is also a devoted educator. Her higher education faculty teaching appointments include the Frost School of Music at University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, Barry University in North Miami, Florida, New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, Humboldt State University and Humboldt Music Academy in Arcata, California, National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, Taiwan, and many master classes invited by professional associations. She was appointed as the co- director of the keyboard program while teaching at Humboldt State University in California. In August 2011, Dr. Cheng joined the music faculty at California State University San Marcos, developing the piano program.

  Soon after receiving her bachelor's degree in piano performance from National Taiwan Normal University, Dr. Cheng was granted a scholarship from the University of Miami to start her master's degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industry. In 2003, offered a full scholarship as a graduate teaching assistant, she continued to pursue her doctoral degree in Accompanying and Chamber Music at University of Miami, studying with Dr. J.B.Floyd, the former chair of the keyboard department, Mr. Tian Ying, the present chair and a former finalist of Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Dr. Paul Posnak, the head of the accompanying department. Dr. Cheng has made many master class appearances conducted by distinguishing musicians including Lang Lang, Andrea Watts, Hans Boepple, Sharon Mann, John Owings, Tamas Ungar, Harold Martina, Jin Zhang, and Ruei-bin Chen.

  Committed to a versatile musical career, Dr. Cheng finds every opportunity to advance herself. She is an active participant in professional organizations and conferences around the world. She has been an active member of Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) and currently the Membership Secretary of the North County San Diego branch, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT), North America Taiwanese Professor Association, etc. Holding a minor degree in double bass performance, her orchestral performance experience is substantial and has provided her a unique background to be a keen and sensitive collaborative artist. Her working experience also includes internship at BMG US Latin Copyright division in Coral Gables, Florida, a double bassist at Taipei Century Symphony and National Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan, and a project manager at TLJ Technologies Inc. In April 2010, Dr. Cheng was invited to join the string ensemble to perform at National Concert Hall in Taiwan, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her alma mater, HSNU.

  Dr. Cheng is currently the chair of the Music Department at California State University San Marcos. She will continue concertizing and devoting herself to music education and performing throughout the world.

• Genevieve Leitner, guitar

  Genevieve Leitner plays music from around the world and across time periods. She has performed in the United States, Mexico, South America and Europe. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Genevieve lived in Chile for six years, absorbing and performing the rich musical traditions of this diverse continent. Her solo album, Enamorada, features Latin American dances and love songs. In addition to her work as a soloist, Genevieve has a passion for collaborative music. She has performed with a wide range of instruments and singers, and has also collaborated in opera, theater, dance, and film. Genevieve has taught students of all ages in the United States, Mexico and Chile. Currently, she teaches guitar at Albuquerque Academy. Genevieve was born in Chimayó, New Mexico into a musical and artistic family.

• Travis Maril, viola

  Praised for his “persuasive, stylish ardor,” (San Diego Reader) violist Travis Maril has devoted his career to teaching and chamber music. 

  Travis was a top prize winner at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition. He has collaborated in chamber groups with members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Miro Quartet, and principal players of the Cleveland Orchestra, LA Phil and San Diego Symphonies. Locally, he performs regularly with the chamber group Camarada, jazz with the Danny Green Trio, and made a number of recordings with the chamber folk band The Tree Ring.

  Travis is String Coordinator and Viola Faculty at San Diego State University, where he was awarded Outstanding Music Faculty Member in 2021. That same year, he launched an online viola academy called String Gym. Through String Gym he works year-round with violists from around the world, including Norway, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, England and the US. Travis writes frequently about string pedagogy on his blog, String Theory. 

  Travis holds degrees from the University of Southern California and Rice University.

• Andrés Martín, bass

  Native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Andrés Martín is a distinguished bassist, arranger, composer and producer renowned for his performances across the globe. His musical journey has led him to share his talent with audiences in Argentina, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and the United States. Upon settling in Tijuana, Mexico, Andrés has dedicated himself to a dual career of teaching and performing, both as a soloist and a chamber musician.

  As the principal bass of the Orquesta de Baja California from 2002 to 2023, he played a pivotal role in the orchestra's success. He is also the visionary founder and director of the Contrabajos de Baja California International Bass Festival, which ran from 2003 to 2019, fostering a community of bass enthusiasts and professionals.

  In addition to his performing career, Andrés is a prolific composer. His schedule is filled with composing new works annually that are performed and commissioned by globally recognized soloists, chamber ensembles, and orchestras. His compositions have found a platform on all five continents, showcasing his versatile musical voice.

  Currently, Andrés serves as the bassist and composer in residence for The Hutchins Consort and Camarada, esteemed chamber ensembles based in California's southwest. Despite his extensive involvement in performance and composition, Andrés maintains a demanding schedule as a chamber musician, soloist, teacher, and composer, frequently traveling across Mexico, the United States, Europe, and South America.

  The year 2024 was particularly eventful for Andrés, featuring the world premieres of several of his latest works. These include the Morgante Violin Concerto (Samuel Vargas & the San Bernardino Symphony) the US Premiere of New Beginnings Concerto (Hutchins Consort Violin Octet), and a variety of pieces ranging from chamber music to orchestral compositions, such as Silent (Camarada), Oliver Towne (Pioneer Valley Symphony & narrator), Juan Soldado (La Joya Symphony), Ritual (Orquesta de Baja California), Ilimitados (San Diego Youth Symphony), and Tango bajo la piel for string ensemble. Each piece promises to enrich the musical landscape with Andrés' unique blend of cultural influences and innovative craftsmanship.

  Moreover, Andrés has left a tangible legacy in the form of a signature solo double bass designed for Eastman Strings, which has reached players worldwide. As a D’Addario artist, his influence extends beyond performances and compositions, contributing to the musical community with tools that enhance the artistry of fellow musicians.

  Andrés Martín's career is a testament to his dedication to music, marked by his significant contributions as a performer, teacher, and composer. His work continues to inspire and resonate with audiences and musicians alike, bridging cultures and connecting people through the universal language of music.

• Elena Mashkotseva, harp

  Elena Mashkovtseva has won attention as one of the world’s outstanding harpists through numerous appearances as a soloist and chamber musician. She has enchanted audiences throughout the world with her virtuosity, grace and elegance. Ms. Mashkovtseva is a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she studied with the celebrated harpist Vera Dulova. She was awarded First Prize at the International Competition in Moscow. After graduating, Ms. Mashkovtseva held the principal harp position with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Since leaving Moscow, she has appeared with the Orquesta de Baja California, Orquesta de Bellas Artes, Orquesta Filarmonica de la UNAM, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra Nova, St. Petersburgh Mariinsky Theater Orchestra under Valery Gergiev, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin under Misha Rachlevsky, The Hutchins Consort, Camarada and the San Diego Opera. Ms. Mashkovtseva is a Professor of Harp at San Diego State University, University of San Diego and has her own private studio in San Diego.

• Karoline Menezes, viola

  Brazilian artist Karoline Menezes was born and raised in the beautiful northeastern city of João Pessoa. In Brazil, Karoline studied Music and Law before moving to the United States. She worked for two of the main ensembles in her hometown: The Orquestra Sinfônica Municipal de João Pessoa and Camerata Brasílica. After moving to the United States, Karoline continued her studies at the Azusa Pacific University (APU) and the University of Southern California (USC) under full scholarships for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance. Her career in music as an orchestral and chamber musician includes performing at venues across the world such as Sala São Paulo, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Centro Cultural de Belém and Walt Disney Concert hall.

  Upon moving to Los Angeles where Karoline now resides, her work extended to broader industries such as recording for TV & Film and live entertainment. As a multidisciplinary performing musician, Karoline redefines what it means to be a 21st century performer. Her work can be featured in TV & Film, as well as numerous artists such as Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Adele, Coldplay, Andrea Bocelli, Eminem, Sting, The Eagles, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes and many more.

  Karoline has been involved in multiple social and entrepreneurial initiatives and as a creative change maker. She is actively collaborating with local and international organizations to drive social change through the arts. She works in development to drive innovative strategies for engagement and connection, as well as consultation for teaching practices that impact the community through music. She currently holds teaching positions at El Camino College and College Preparatory Loyola High School.

• Lisa Parente, soprano

  Small, yet mighty, Soprano Lisa Parente is known for her “effortless high notes and agile coloratura”, Coronado Magazine.

  Some of her operatic roles include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Madame Goldentrill in The Impresario, The Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel, and Amore in L’incoronazione di Poppea. Lisa is also a member of the San Diego Opera Chorus, and had the pleasure of singing in the world premiere of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego by Gabriela Lena Frank.

  In addition to opera, she has an extensive oratorio and concert repertoire, and has been heard as the soprano soloist in Saint-Saën’s Oratorio de Noël, Poulenc’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, Vaughn Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Faure’s Requiem, and was the soprano soloist in the world premiere of Hollis Thoms’ Requiem 2020, commemorating those lost due to Covid-19. She has been featured in many concert series, such as Opera À La Carte, Music Box at Church in the Forest, Bach in Baltimore, Opera Wednesdays, and Union Square Concert Series, and is a frequent soloist with Musica Vitale.

  Lisa has won many awards, including First Place in the California Women’s Choral Competition, Second Place in the San Diego Choral Club Competition, Honorable Mention in the La Jolla Young Artist Competition, and has been a finalist in prestigious competitions such as the Musical Merit Awards and the Sylvia Green Competition.

  Lisa holds a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Peabody Conservatory, and a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from San Diego State University.

• Karl Pasch, clarinet

  Karl Pasch is principal clarinetist with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, and is active as a chamber musician, conductor, and composer. He has performed concert tours with the Blue Rose Trio in California and Alaska, and was a featured guest artist at the Virtuosi Festival in Recife, Brazil.

  After winning a Rasmussen Artist Grant, he toured in Brazil and released a live CD of South American chamber music.

  Karl has conducted with the Anchorage Civic Orchestra, the Anchorage Ballet, the Anchorage Concert Chorus, and Anchorage Theatre Orchestra. He also performs with the Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet, and the gypsy jazz group the Hot Club of Nunaka.

• Carlos Prazeres, conductor

  Carlos Prazeres is one of the most sought-after Brazilian conductors of the present time. He has been the Principal Conductor of the Bahia Symphony Orchestra since 2011, was appointed Director of the Campinas Symphony Orchestra in 2022, and served as Assistant Conductor with the Rio de Janeiro Petrobras Symphony Orchestra for eight consecutive years.

  He has shared the stage with artists such as Antonio Meneses, Nelson Freire, Heléne Grimaud, Ilya Kaler, Gil Shaham, Maxim Vengerov, Ramón Vargas, Peter Donohoe, Jean-Louis Steuerman, Fábio Zanon, Augustin Dumay, among others. Invited by conductor Wagner Tiso, he acted as the conductor for the MPB & JAZZ series and expanded his involvement in popular music, collaborating with artists like Gilberto Gil, João Bosco, Ivan Lins, Stanley Jordan, Milton Nascimento, Hamilton de Holanda, Yamandú Costa, among others.

  As a guest conductor, Prazeres has led significant symphonic ensembles, including the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Rome Symphony Orchestra, Verona Arena Orchestra, Sicilian Symphony Orchestra, Cherubini Orchestra, International Orchestra of the Riva del Garda Festival, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Junge Philharmonie Salzburg, Buenos Aires Philharmonic of Teatro Colón, Montevideo Philharmonic, Bogotá Philharmonic, Mendoza Philharmonic, Mexico's Instituto Politécnico Orchestra, OSESP, Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra, Petrobras Symphony Orchestra, Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater Orchestra, Goiás Philharmonic, Amazonas Philharmonic Orchestra, Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra (OSPA), OSUSP, Campinas Symphony Orchestra, São Paulo Symphony Jazz Orchestra, São Pedro Theater Orchestra (RS), Espírito Santo Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

  Prazeres studied conducting with I. Karabtchevsky, graduated in oboe from UNI-Rio under the guidance of Luis Carlos Justi, and was a scholarship recipient of the VITAE Foundation during his postgraduate studies at the Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Karajan Foundation, under the guidance of Andreas Wittmann.

• Beth Ross-Buckley, flute

  Beth Ross Buckley is the Flutist, Founder, and Artistic Director of Camarada. For 29 years, Ms. Ross Buckley has produced groundbreaking chamber music events throughout San Diego, combining great music, cuisine, and art. Since Camarada’s inception, she has expanded the scope of the organization to include performances at diverse venues throughout greater San Diego, new commissions for concert repertoire, and an exciting roster of performing artists.

  Ms. Ross Buckley received her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from St. Olaf College and her Master of Music from the University of Minnesota. While she enjoys all genres of music, tango music is her passion. Ms. Ross Buckley boasts an extensive performance resume that includes a twenty-five-year tenure as principal flute of the former San Diego Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Nova and engagements with a variety of musical theatre companies throughout Northern and Southern California. Ms. Ross Buckley also runs a portrait photography business, Beth Ross Buckley Photography.

• Eduardo Semencio, violin

  A believer that music can change lives, Eduardo is always committed to the role that music has in society. He is frequently involved in social projects of music teaching and orchestral groups that are devoted in deliver high quality music.

  Having earned a Bachelor in Violin Performance at Sao Paulo State University in Campinas, UNICAMP, he moved to Canada to pursue a master degree at the University of Western Ontario.

  Eduardo has been playing in professional Brazilian orchestras since 1996, including the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra; Amazon Philharmonic Orchestra where he participated in XII, XIII, and XIV Amazon Opera Festival; Amazon Chamber Orchestra; Amazon Baroque Orchestra; Mato Grosso State Orchestra; São José dos Campos Symphony Orchestra; Santos Symphony Orchestra; Americana Symphony Orchestra; Rio Claro Symphony Orchestra where he was the concertmaster from 1997 to 2007; etc. Currently, he is a member of the UNICAMP Symphony Orchestra; Oficina de Cordas Chamber Orchestra and concertmaster of Rock Orchestra Campinas. He participated in Rock in Rio Brazil 2011 playing in the “Tribute to Legião Urbana”. He also played in the Camerata Vitta first Brazil-Uruguay tour in 2007 as principal second violin.

  He has performed at several music festivals in Brazil such as "Festival Internacional de Inverno" in Campos do Jordão in 2006, 2007, and 2008, “Eleazar de Carvalho” Music Festival in Fortaleza 2003. He has played in masterclasses for professors Carmelo de los Santos, Betina Stegman, Yerko Tabilo, Elisa Fukuda, Ludwig Dürichen, Vesselin Gellev, Kees Hülsmannm, Mauro Loguercio, Bernardo Besseler and Daniel Guedes. In orchestras, he played with great conductors such as Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel (complete Beethoven Symphonies – Brazilian Symphony Orchestra 2011), Roberto Minczuk, Luiz Fernando Malheiro and Carlos Moreno.

  In 2010, Eduardo was selected as violin teacher at CAUA of the Amazon Federal University. He also taught violin, viola and chamber music in Lyceum of Arts “Claudio Santoro” in Manaus, in Cultural Foundation “Cassiano Ricardo”, and in the Music School “Fábio Marasca”.

  Eduardo was responsible for the restructuring of the Rio Claro Symphony Orchestra and its Music School, serving as the Artistic Director from 2003 to 2007. The new pedagogic approach follows the “El Sistema” model. In 2011 he was elected as its CEO and runs a new project to improve the orchestra and the school. In 2012, he organized and was the Executive and Music Director of the First Rio Claro Pedagogic Music Festival in Rio Claro. His new approach allowed the orchestra to receive financial support from the government and the Rotary Club. Thereafter, he also founded the Experimental Orchestra (2014) with the students’ school and students from surrounding cities. The project had great success because it provided an environment to new conductors, musicians and soloists to develop their careers and it became one of most active groups in the region.

• Marcelo Soares, violin

  Marcelo Soares is a Brazilian violinist with over twenty years of teaching and performance experience. An accomplished orchestral musician, Mr. Soares has worked with renowned conductors on the international stage: Kurt Mazur, John Nelson, Stéphane Danève, Giancarlo Gerrero, Kristjan Järvi, Thierry Fischer, Robert Trevino, and Roberto Minczuc. From 2002 to 2017, he was a member of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP), where he performed under the baton of conductors John Neschling, Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Marin Alsop. He has also served as concertmaster of the Ribeirão Preto Symphony Orchestra and the Azusa Pacific University Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, he was a first prize winner in the Senior Violin category of the 6th Hong Kong International Music Competition.

  During his tenure with OSESP, they recorded essential works for the Naxos label, including the complete symphonies of Sergei Prokofiev and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Mr. Soares has performed in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, including Vienna Musikverein, Berliner Philharmonie, Royal Albert Hall, Salle Pleyel Paris, Grosses Festspielhaus Salzburg, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Victoria Hall in Geneva, and Warsaw National Philharmonic Hall.

  In addition to his active performing career, Mr. Soares is a renowned teacher in the United States, Brazil, and China. His students take part in competitions and orchestra auditions worldwide. Mr. Soares currently lives in Los Angeles and is the CEO and Founder of the Soares Music Studio.

• Francisco Vila, cello

  Vila is a soloist and chamber musician renowned for his sensitivity, penetrating sound and technical mastery of his instrument. His performance career spans Asia, Europe, and the Americas, where he has captivated audiences with his artistry, depth and unique sound.

  Francisco’s collaborations highlight his versatility and dedication to musical excellence, performing alongside celebrated artists such as Gary Hoffman, Cho-Liang Lin, Maria João Pires, Nobuko Imai, and members of the Juilliard String Quartet, among others. His artistic journey has been shaped under the mentorship of iconic musicians, including Gary Hoffman at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, and the legendary cellist Janos Starker at Indiana University. Making his orchestral debut at the age of 14, he has appeared as a soloist with renowned orchestras worldwide, including the Houston Symphony, the Liège Royal Philharmonic, the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, the Santander Festival Orchestra, all principal orchestras in his native Ecuador, among others.

  Vila served as principal cellist of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra in Denmark from 2016-2019.

  His remarkable career includes a fellowship at the prestigious Ravinia Steans Music Institute and guest artist appearances at world-renowned festivals such as the Beaumaris International Music Festival, the Santander Music Festival, the Stavelot Music Festival, and the iPalpiti Festival of International Laureates. He has graced celebrated stages including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, Disney Hall, Japan's Phoenix Hall, and the Mozarteum Salzburg.

  Aside from performance, Vila views teaching as an important aspect in music-making. In 2015, Mr. Vila founded the first International Music Festival of Esmeraldas (Ecuador). His mentors include Andrew Mark, Janos Starker, Sharon Robinson, Menahem Pressler and Gary Hoffman at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel where he earned an Artist Diploma. In 2012, he became the winner of the second prize of the Sphinx Competition in Detroit, Michigan.

  Vila also performed the premiere of the cello concerto "Espejos en la Arena" of the Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, in the United States.

  Through his expansive career and commitment to musical excellence, Francisco has solidified his position as one of the preeminent performers of his generation, captivating audiences across the world’s most illustrious stages.

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