CELLISSIMO
Ambassadors
The Music for Galway Cellissimo Ambassador Programme
The Cellissimo Ambassador programme grew out of a special project – the Galway Cello. This is an instrument that was commissioned for the first edition of Cellissimo based on a concept by Philip Fogarty. Luthier Kuros Torkzadeh had the brief to fashion an instrument out of timbers that had grown in Co. Galway. Not only did the instrument turn out to be beautiful visually, with its scroll in the distinctive shape of a Claddagh Ring, but it has also developed a rich tone which is admired and enjoyed by a growing number of cellists. In order to give this instrument its deserved life, the Cellissimo Ambassador programme was devised.
See the making of the Galway Cello: https://youtu.be/wFeUNw9y9ho
Adrian Mantu performs Giovanni Sollima’s Lamentatio on the Galway Cello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M9YKKlFwDU&list=RD-M9YKKlFwDU&start_radio=1
Aims of the programme:
- To give life to the Galway Cello and to ensure that it is played regularly
- To help in the professional development of a young cellist by giving them the use of a valuable handcrafted instrument
- To further the professional development of a young cellist by offering performance opportunities
- To use both cellist and instrument as ambassadors for the next edition of Cellissimo
The chosen CELLISSIMO Ambassador:
- Is aiming to become or is already pursuing a career as a professional cellist
- Uses the Galway Cello as their primary instrument
- Mentions the Galway Cello and their role as Cellissimo Ambassador in their biography
- Agrees to appear in Galway for a maximum of three engagements per year for which they will be paid performance fees but no expenses
- Is willing to be active on social media and post either in the voice of the Galway Cello OR about their life with the instrument
- Understands the value of this unique instrument and ensures its safety
- Will cover insurance costs
- Is between 18 and 26 years old at the time of selection
The Galway Cello will find its new ambassador in 2027. Interested cellists will be able to arrange for a try-out of the instrument before the audition. Contact [email protected] to make arrangements.
Approx. three cellists will be selected to audition in front of a live audience.
To apply, please fill out the application form below. You will be expected to perform one movement of a Bach Suite and a short piece for cello and piano of your choice and will be accompanied by a pianist. The performance should have a total duration of no more than 15 minutes and there will also be a 10-minute interview with the selection panel earlier on the the day.
Cellissimo Ambassadors
2021 to 2024
2024 to 2027
Catherine Cotter
Catherine Cotter is currently in the final year of her undergraduate studies at the Royal College of Music with Amanda Truelove, where she has been awarded a scholarship to complete her MA in performance next year.
She is a multiple prizewinner in the ESB Feis Ceoil, and has performed as a soloist in numerous prestigious locations in Ireland and abroad, including the American Irish Historical Society in New York and the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
She was named the inaugural “Cellissimo'' Ambassador for Music for Galway in September 2021 and performed for three years on the “Galway Cello ''. In May of 2024, she performed a programme of Shostakovich, Weber and Faurè with pianist Finghin Collins in Cellissimo 2024. She was recently awarded the “Adjudicators’ Special Prize” at the Birr Festival of Music, 2025. Also in 2025, she made her concerto debut with the Causeway Chamber Orchestra, performing C.P.E Bach’s Cello Concerto No. 3 in A Major.
She was awarded a place on the English National Opera’s “Evolve” scheme for 2025/26, as part of which she received coaching from members of the ENO orchestra, and played in rehearsals and performances of Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking” and Kurt Weill’s “Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny”.
Prior to beginning her studies at the RCM, she was a student of Aisling Drury Byrne and Christopher Marwood at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she was awarded both the Stephen Vernon Bursary for Outstanding Cellist or Double Bassist and first place in the Dublin Philharmonic Junior Solo Competition. She was also one of four RIAM students selected for the Eversheds Sutherland Accelerator Academy and was awarded a place on the Young Scholar Programme at the RIAM.
She is the former principal cellist of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and performed with them in their 2018 tour of Amsterdam. She has performed in numerous masterclasses both at home and abroad with celebrated cellists such as Alisa Weilerstein, Hannah Roberts, Marc
Coppey, Laura Van der Heijden, Adrian Brendel and Denis Brott. She is an avid chamber musician and performs regularly as a member of the Roselle String Quartet.
Catherine performs on a cello made by John Betts (1752- 1823), awarded to her on loan from the Royal College of Music.
Margarita Guerrero
Born in Murcia, Spain, in 2005, Margarita finished her professional studies of music, obtaining highest honors in cello in the six courses of these professional teachings.
She has received Masterclasses from eminent international teachers and soloists such as: Xavier Gagnepain, Asier Polo, Pablo Ferrández, Fernando Arias, Kian Soltani, W.E. Schimtz, Jens Peter Maintz.
In July 2022 she performed Haydn's D major concerto with the Parma Symphony Orchestra (Italy). She has also performed as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Cartagena, the Symphony Orchestra “Jóvenes Solistas” of Murcia and the Youth Orchestra of the Region of Murcia.
In May 2024 she was selected to participate in the Cellissimo 2024 Festival held in Galway (Ireland) where she received master classes from Professors Alban Gerhardt, Nicolas Alstaedt, Camille Thomas, and Jakob Koranyi. After reaching the final of the competition, she was chosen to be the Cellissimo Ambassador, a position she will hold until Cellissimo 2027.
In April 2024 and 2025, she won by competition one of the four scholarships that the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Rostock (Germany).
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