Today, a live cello recital from Kevin Hernandez, a senior at New Music School and a student of David Cunliffe. He presents music by Bach, Rachmaninoff and Cassadó before finishing with a piece by his father, Belford Hernandez. Both Belford Hernandez and Summer Baek play piano.
Kevin Hernandez is a dynamic young cellist and scholar currently attending Downers Grove South High School in Illinois. He began his musical training at an early age and has studied at the New Music School in Chicago since 2016 under the mentorship of David Cunliffe. A passionate chamber musician, Kevin has performed with top ensembles such as the Monaco Piano Trio, Senti Piano Trio, and Sprezzatura String Quartet, earning accolades at the Rembrandt High School Chamber Music Competition, the Coltman Chamber Music Competition, and the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition.
He has collaborated with Black Oak Ensemble members in Chicago and Simorre, France. He is the principal cellist of both the Youth Symphony of DuPage and his school orchestra, and has won multiple concerto competitions. A four-time full scholarship recipient to the Sphinx Performance Academy, Kevin has studied at summer camps at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute, and the Cleveland Institute of Music; and attended the Heifetz International Music Institute.
In addition to his musical achievements, Kevin is a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, and National Honor Society member. He enjoys improvising on the cello and piano with his father, biking, swimming, and reading. He also holds a black belt in taekwondo.
Kevin previously appeared on Introductions with the Sprezzatura Quartet in August 2021. He was also featured on Show 422 NPR’s From the Top.