Gabriel Martins, Cello

Biography

American cellist Gabriel Martins (b. 1998) is a prize-winner of the David Popper International Cello Competition, Orford Music Award, Prague Spring International Music Competition, Sphinx Competition, and International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in venues such as Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Teatro Gran Rex in Buenos Aires, and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. According to esteemed cellist Ralph Kirshbaum, he has "revealed heart, passion, intellect, and a finely-nuanced palette of colors in a compelling manner worthy of a seasoned artist." Martins has collaborated in chamber music with artists such as Miriam Fried, Edgar Meyer, Csaba Onczay, and is also the newest member of the SAKURA Cello Quintet which has been described as "brilliant" and "superb" by the Los Angeles Times. During the 2018/19 season, he was invited to tour with Miriam Fried and Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, giving concerts in Boston, Chicago, New York City and elsewhere. Growing up in Bloomington, Indiana, Martins began playing the cello when he was five, studying with Susan Moses at the Indiana University String Academy. He has since held fellowships at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Orford Music Academy, Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, and Ravinia Steans Music Institute. He obtained his B.M. degree from the USC Thornton School of Music, studying with Ralph Kirshbaum. In his freshman year at USC, he won the school's concerto competition as well as its Bach competition.