Masterclass – Tommy Mesa, cello

In this innovative masterclass, Tommy Mesa will work with the UA cellists on Jessie Montgomery’s Cello Concerto Divided, a work that was written for Tommy Mesa. Each of the young artists will have prepared Divided, and Dr. Mesa will engage both with the group and with each cellist individually, creating a unique and inclusive learning format that celebrates a new and important addition to the cello repertoire.

Cuban-American cellist Tommy Mesa has established himself as one of the most charismatic, innovative, and engaging performers of his generation. The recipient of the Sphinx Organization’s 2023 Medal of Excellence, its highest honor, Mesa has appeared as soloist at the Supreme Court of the United States on four occasions and with major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Indianapolis, Madison, New Jersey, San Antonio, and Santa Barbara, among others. Mesa gave the world premiere and subsequent tour of Jessie Montgomery’s cello concerto in the 2022-23 season, with performances at major halls across the United States and Brazil including Miami’s New World Center and Carnegie Hall. His orchestral recording debut of the work was released in July 2023 on Deutsche Grammophon.

This class is made possible by the generosity of Kathleen Krause, a longtime friend of the UA Cello Studio.