2025 Cello Festival

SUNDAY, May 25, 2025

WELCOME CELLISTS! 

We hope you will join us at the 2025 UW Cello Festival for an inspiring and informative day of CELLO.  We are so excited to have the incredible superstar cellist STEVEN ISSERLIS joining us this year!  This in-person event will be held in our beautiful Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts on the UW campus. 

A Letter from the Artistic Director - 2025

A Day of Community and Inspiration 

Artistic Director Dr. Beth Vanderborgh, with special guests: 

• Steven Isserlis – Cello Soloist

• Doug Moore, Cello Choir Conductor and Arranger

Sessions: 

• Cello Masterclass – Steven Isserlis

• Q&A – Steven Isserlis

• Intermediate and Advanced Cello Choirs (for participants) – Douglas Moore and TBD, conductors

• Seoyoen Min (Principal Cello, Colorado Symphony) – Cello Masterclass

• Leslie Jones Exploring Ševčík

• Viola da Gamba Petting Zoo

• Noontime Serenade

• Silent Auction

• Vendors

• Evening Gala Concert – Steven Isserlis – Solo Recital

The UW Cello Festival Cello Choir is open to all participants. There will be two levels of music, one for intermediate players and one for advanced. Advanced players are encouraged to play all selections. Indicate your level on the registration page. Music will be sent to you for preparation before the festival. We are very grateful to Douglas Moore for providing many of his arrangements. Find more information here. 

For more information contact our team: 

• Beth Vanderborgh, Artistic Director: bvanderb@uwyo.edu

• Stephanie Flores, Executive Director: sfloresg@uwyo.edu

• Kiara Sheffield, Executive Director: ksheffi3@uwyo.edu

• Jaxon Cox, Asst. Executive Director: Jcox51@uwyo.edu

• Tiger Robison, Education Specialist: Tiger.Robison@uwyo.edu

• Kira Leland, Director of Social Media: kleland1@uwyo.edu

• Connor Rothfuss, Operations: crothfu1@uwyo.edu

Cello Fest 2025 Schedule

Registration

Registration Form 

Festival Registration: $40 (Includes activities, lunch, and evening concert) 

Payment will be available beginning January 1st, 2025; if you register before then, the Box Office will send a reminder email on January 1st to complete payment.

This registration fee guarantees your spot at the 2025 UW Cello Festival and includes all events and a ticket to the evening performance. We can accommodate up to 85 cellists in the Cello Choir (on a first registered basis) and beyond that, observers are welcome. Your ticket, lunch and access to all events will be included in this $40 fee. 

Additional tickets to Steven Isserlis' evening recital for non-Cello Festival participants are available through the UW Fine Arts Box OFfice.

The Cello Choir Concert will take place at 5:00 pm.  It is free and open to the public, so bring your entourage! 

Should you need to withdraw from the Festival, the $40 registration fee will be refunded, minus a $10 processing fee. 

If a minor is participating in the Festival, they will need to complete minor registration forms which will be emailed upon successful registration. 

Payments can be made:

1. Online on the BCPA Box Office website 
2. In person (Monday-Friday, 10-4pm)
3. Over the phone at (307) 766-6666
4. Mail Payment to: 
   Fine Arts Box Office 
   3951 
   1000 E. University Ave. 
   Laramie, WY 82071 

Click here to Donate to keep the Cello Festival rolling! 

 PRE-REGISTRATION for Participants who attended the 2024 UW Cellow Festival will be available from Nov. 15-30. Those who attended in 2024 have priority registration.

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT DUE NO LATER THAN MAY 23rd, 2025

Please contact Lexis Hamilton at lhamil10@uwyo.edu if you have any questions! 

Masterclass Auditions 

Guidelines for UW Cello Festival Masterclass Audition 2025

We invite cellists to audition for an opportunity to perform in a masterclass with renowned cellist Steven Isserlis as part of our upcoming convocation. Selected participants will have the chance to perform and receive direct feedback from one of the most celebrated cellists of our time. There are also openings to perform in a masterclass with the amazing principal cellist from the Colorado Symphony, Seoyoen Min. 

Eligibility:

Audition Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Résumé (PDF format)
• Include your musical background, education, teachers, performance experience, and any masterclasses or competitions you have participated in.
• Contact information (email, phone) must be included.
• Video Recordings (YouTube, Vimeo, or unlisted Google Drive links)

Audition:

• A video of the work you hope to perform in the masterclass, no more than 10 minutes in length, with accompaniment, if scored for cello and piano.
• Videos should be recorded within the last six months.
• High-quality audio and video are recommended, but professional studio recordings are not required.
• Videos must show the full performance and no more than 10 minutes (no cuts within movements).
• Optional: Letter of Recommendation (if applicable) From a teacher, mentor, or professional musician who can speak to your playing level and artistry.

 

Submission Process:

Deadline: April 10, 2025

Submit all materials to sfloresg@uwyo.edu with the subject: UW Cello Festival - Audition 

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Notification of Results:

Selected participants will be notified by April 15th and will be expected to confirm their participation promptly. 

 

If you are selected for the masterclass on a piece composed with accompaniment, you must perform with a pianist. The Festival can facilitate hiring a collaborative pianist.

 

For any questions, please contact: Stephanie Flores - Executive Director, sfloresg@uwyo.edu

Sponsors