Starla Breshears is an emerging American cellist recognized for her expressive artistry and remarkable technical command. A native of California, she began studying the cello at the age of three and has since developed into a compelling soloist and chamber musician.

She is a recent graduate of the Colburn School Music Academy, where she studied with distinguished faculty, and previously trained in the Pre-College Division of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with Jean-Michel Fonteneau and Richard Aaron. She has also worked with renowned artists including Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Alisa Weilerstein, and Amit Peled.

Breshears has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras and has earned top prizes in competitions such as the ASTA State Solo Competition and the Pacific Musical Society & Foundation Competition, as well as recognition at the Stulberg International String Competition. An active chamber musician, she performs with the Breshears Quartet, an award-winning family ensemble.

She was recently appointed as a cellist with the San Francisco Symphony, becoming the youngest musician to win an audition and join the orchestra.

Program:

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Partita in A minor for Solo Flute, BWV 1013

• Allemande

• Courante

William Walton (1902–1983)
Cello Concerto

• II. Allegro appassionato

Eugène Ysaÿe (1858–1931)
Sonata for Solo Cello

Suzanne Sorkin (b. 20th/21st c.)
Fused for Solo Cello

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Sonata No. 2 in F Major for Cello and Piano, Op. 99

• I. Allegro vivace

• II. Adagio affettuoso

Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
Adagio and Allegro in A-flat Major, Op. 70