Jesus Morales, MM - Cincinatti Conservatory of Music

     Jesús A. Morales Matos, violoncello, currently serves as Principal Cello with the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, and Adjunct Faculty at Temple University. He previously held the positions of Principal Cellist of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico and Professor of Cello at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and the Children's String Program. As a soloist he has been hailed "in a category above many cellists of today....inspired and captivating," New York Concert Review; and Caribbean Business declares, "he is already talked about as a potential soloist of international stature."

     Jesús comes from a prominent musical family which includes José Mariano and Sonia Ivette, composers; Jaime, trombonist and conductor of the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra; Rolando, percussionist and faculty member at The Curtis Institute of Music; and Ricardo, Principal Clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

     Mr. Morales has appeared as soloist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico, the Camerata Symphony, the Central Ohio Symphony, and the Clermont Philharmonic. During the summers he has participated in festivals including the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, Banff Center for the Arts, Grand Teton Music Festival, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Intermezzo Chamber Music Series. Jesús has participated in recitals and chamber music concerts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico.

     Mr. Morales holds a bachelors degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music and has done postgraduate work at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His major teachers include Dr. Ronald Crutcher, Alan Harris, Helga Winold, Yehuda Hanani, and chamber music with Peter Oundjian.