ERIK VELASQUEZ, LEAD CELLO

A professional cellist, Erik and his family moved to Portland from Colombia in 2015.  Since arriving in the USA he is currently a member of the Newport Symphony and he joined the staff of CMC as a cello teacher.  Erik has been hired to be an interpreter for the Portland Public Schools in the Fall of 2017. Erik has a Masters Degree in Cello Performance from the University of Texas in Arlington.  

Born in Medellin, Colombia, Erik started studying music at the age of 12 at the National University Conservatory in Bogotá. He won a position as assistant cello of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Cali, before he graduated, and finished his degree while beginning his career as a professional orchestral and chamber music cellist.