Eva María Barbado Gutiérrez

Eva María Barbado Gutiérrez was born in León (Spain). She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Higher Conservatory of Music of Castile and Leon (Spain), where she studied with Aldo Mata and privately with the prestigious Professor María de Macedo in Madrid. She received her Diploma in Cello Performance and Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies from Roosevelt University, studying under the supervision of Richard Hirschl and John Sharp. She is the Assistant Principal Cellist of the Opera Festival of Chicago. In addition, she was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where she was able to work with world-class conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Jaap Van Sweden, Ken-David Masur, Emmanuel Krivine and Rafael Payaré. In March 2020, she performed in a cello quartet at Symphony Center with Yo-Yo Ma. She has also collaborated with orchestras such as the Chicago Philharmonic, Orchestra Iowa, San Antonio Opera and Ballet, and Castile and Leon Symphony Orchestra, among others. Ms. Barbado’s teaching experience encompasses a wide range of ages and skill levels, from young beginners to advanced performers. Through her work with various ensembles, including orchestra sectionals and chamber groups, she has developed a versatile teaching style that is adaptable to the needs of each student. She has been invited to lead orchestra sectionals for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to that, as a member of the Civic Orchestra, she was part of educational and community engagement programs that allowed her to work with young cellist and guide them in their musical journey, nurturing their skills and fostering a deep love for music. Ms. Barbado is also dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the music community and creating a welcoming space for all students. She serves as Cello and Chamber Music Faculty at Merit School of Music.