STEPHEN CEPEDA, violin

Violinist and Helena Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Stephen Cepeda makes his solo debut with Maestro Scott and the Helena Symphony in a performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.  In addition to his post as Concertmaster of the Helena Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Cepeda also serves as Associate Concertmaster of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, where he will appear as guest concertmaster this season performing the well known solo in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Beginning his studies at the age of four under Daniel Reinker, Mr. Cepeda has studied with some of the nation’s finest violin mentors, including Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, Greg Mulligan, and Julius Schulman.  Mr. Cepeda concluded his studies with Andrzej Grabiec as part of the Performance and Continuing Studies program at the University of Houston.

Mr. Cepeda has attended music festivals around the United States including Madeline Island Chamber Music Camp and the Eastern and Texas Festivals. Through these experiences he was able to study with such musicians as Joel Krosnik, Laslo Varga, Mitchell Stern, Vagram Sarajiam, Lucy Robert, and members of the Brentano String Quartet. 

As a founding member of the Meritage String Quartet, Mr. Cepeda and the Mertiage Quartet was recently one of two ensembles from the nation invited to attend the Deer Valley Music Festival's emerging quartets and composers program.  During the Festival, the Meritage Quartet worked closely with the world renowned Muir String Quartet and eminent composer Joan Tower.  The Meritage String Quartet recently premiered a work by composer Joan Panetti.