Latin IS America
Bio for Horacio Contreras
Venezuelan cellist Horacio Contreras is considered one of the most outstanding cellists of his generation in his country. Trained in El Sistema, and a prize winner at the Carlos Prieto Cello Competition, he has developed a diverse career as a chamber musician, recitalist, and soloist.
Contreras has performed with Venezulea’s Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in the cello section where he worked with Gustavo Dudamel and Simon Rattle. As a chamber musician and recitalist he has performed at numerous festivals and music series including Festival del Nuevo Mundo, the Aruba Piano Festival, the Mérida Music Festival, and the Michigan Chamber Players. Contreras graduated from the Perpignan Conservatory in France where he was awarded the Gold Medal in excellence, and received his master's degree from the University of Michigan where he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree.
