Ismael Guerrero
cello
About this Artist
Born in Havana, Cuba, Ismael Ariel Guerrero Bombut is an accomplished cellist who has won many competitions and performed all over the world. He has participated in masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Carlos Prieto, Laurence Lesser, Colin Carr, Clemens Hagen, Frans Helmerson, and Heidi Litschauer. As a soloist, Guerrero has performed in Mexico, Switzerland, Cuba, and throughout the United States; as a chamber musician, he has collaborated with eminent musicians such as Vadim Gluzman, Michael Kannen, Nicholas Kitchen, Yeesun Kim, Alon Goldstein, and Amit Peled. Guerrero is a member of the renowned Sphinx Virtuosi, featuring the nation’s top Black and Latinx soloists, and made his Carnegie Hall debut with the group in its 2021/22 tour. He is also an active member of the Colour of Music Festival, which also promotes Black excellence in the arts. Guerrero has recorded multiple albums for CTM Classics as a member of the Peabody Cello Gang and as a principal cellist of the Mount Vernon Virtuosi . He has attended many summer festivals such as the Heifetz International Music Institute in Staunton, Virginia; Keshet Eilon in Israel; and Manchester Music Festival in Vermont. Guerrero has made radio appearances on several occasions, one of which promoted his concert as a soloist with the Tel Aviv Soloists Ensemble conducted by Barak Tal in the Opera House of the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Under the tutelage of Amit Peled, Guerrero completed his bachelor of music degree at the Peabody Conservatory. He recently graduated with a master of music degree from USC Thornton School of Music, where he worked with Ralph Kirshbaum and Marcy Rosen. He is grateful to have received full scholarships throughout his studies at these top institutions. He is extremely thankful to Cecylia Barczyk and the Borowsky Family for providing him with the opportunity to immigrate to the United States to pursue his studies and begin his career.
Guerrero loves teaching, a passion he discovered through the opportunity to give a masterclass for the PEG Program at the Heifetz International Music Institute in 2018. He recently taught masterclasses at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and George Mason University. He has also been involved in outreach programs that focus on working with music students of all ages and on bringing classical music to people who have little or no access to it. While at USC Thornton, he was part of the Thornton Community Engagement Program and had the chance to work with children from Los Angeles schools.