Principal Viola
The Dr. Jefferson and Mrs. June Flowers Chair
Member since: 2008
Hometown: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Hobbies/Interests: Racquetball, soccer, tennis, and ping pong
Music has always been an important part of my life. It follows me everywhere I go. What I love about music is that is universal, and it speaks to everyone no matter your nationality or personal beliefs.
Mauricio Céspedes’ training in orchestra conducting include The Juilliard School with maestro Mark Shapiro, and choral conducting at Eastman School of Music with maestro William Weinert. Mauricio’s conducing has been informed and enriched by more than two decades as a principal player in orchestras around the world, by his extensive work as a soloist, chamber musician, and through his deep involvement in orchestral training.
From 1994 -2000 Mauricio was first principal viola in the Bolivian National Symphony Orchestra, and following that held the same position in the Lansing Symphony, Miami Symphony and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dr. Céspedes has been a winner of the New World School of the Arts Concerto Competition, Ibero American Symphony Competition, Aspen Music Festival fellowship, and a finalist in the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, sponsored by the Japan Chamber Music Foundation.
As soloist, he has appeared with the New World School of the Arts Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Maitland Symphony, Bolivian National Symphony Orchestra, La Paz Symphony Orchestra, COFES International Festival Orchestra, Festival del Sol Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Concertante of Cochabamba, National Conservatory of Bolivia Symphony Orchestra, and El Alto Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, Dr. Céspedes has performed in Europe, Asia, Australia, South and North America. He has been featured at the Aspen, Mimir, Sewanee music festivals, and at the Michigan Chamber Music Society.
In 2020, Mauricio became the Artistic Director of the Orlando Philharmonic Summer Camp.
As an Assistant Conductor with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Mauricio has conducted the orchestra in Home for the Holidays, Holiday and Spring Pops, Young People’s Concert, Cirque de la Symphonie, Symphony Story Time, and an all Mozart program conducting and performing Mozarts’ Sinfonia Concertante. He has also been invited to appear as a conductor with the Bolivian National Symphony, New Score Chamber Orchestra, Bradenton Symphony, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, Orchestra of Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, A Gift for Music Chamber Orchestra, Stetson University Orchestra, Metropolitan Area Youth Symphony and the Florida Young Artist Orchestra.
Mauricio has gained admiration for his adventurous and imaginative programming, and also for his dedication to outreach and community activity – for example through presenting concerts and workshops in retirement homes, and children hospitals, Mauricio was named the “Every day Hero” by channel 13.
Besides music, Mauricio holds a degree in Environmental Engineering and teaches Environmental Science at Interlochen Center for the Arts.