2018 cello faculty listed below. 2019 cello faculty still to be announced
Nicholas Villalobos graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in bass performance studying under world-renowned bass soloist Catalin Rotaru. Following graduation, Nicholas toured the United Stated with the Sphinx Virtuosi Orchestra as an alumni of the Sphinx Competition. Nicholas recently placed third at the National Sphinx Competition.
Nicholas received world-class training from a young age studying with Barry Olson principal bass of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra from sixth grade through high school. He has performed with some of the most elite ensembles for young musicians including the World Youth Symphony at Interlochen, the National Honor High School Orchestra, and Tanglewood Institute Orchestra. As a professional symphony player Nicholas has performed in the Phoenix Symphony, Utah Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra at Temple Square including with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
As a soloist, Nicholas has performed concertos with prestigious orchestras including the Phoenix Symphony, Tempe Symphony, Scottsdale Baroque Orchestra, the Coer d'Alene Symphony Orchestra, and the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra. Nicholas won first prize at the American String Teachers Association Double Bass Competition. He also won the Clotilde Ortando Prize with the Phoenix Symphony and was the a finalist in the 2011 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition where he received an award for best performance of the required modern piece, "Celestial Dance," by Rufus Reid.
Nicholas is an Eastman Strings' Artist touring the world to help educate young bass players.