Carolina Rodriguez de Armas is a cellist originally from La Habana, Cuba. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Cello Performance at the University of South Dakota, under the tutelage of Dr. Sonja Kraus. Carolina currently serves as Principal Cellist of the USD Symphony Orchestra and is an active member of the USD Chamber Orchestra, as well as Ensemble Zusammen, a chamber music ensemble consisting of cellists and bassists.

Recently, she was one of the winners of the USD Concerto Aria Competition. Carolina received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Arts in Cuba as a student of Gladys Lo. Her experience in chamber and symphony orchestras include the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, Havana Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Daiana García, Música Eterna Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Guido López Gavilán, the Havana Lyceum Orchestra, and Ars Longa Early Music Ensemble, where she also played viola da gamba and violone. Carolina was part of the Cuban European Academy founded by Thomas Hengelbrock and the Balthasar Neumann Academy in Germany, where she received cello and chamber music master classes from members of the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra, such as Christoph Dangel and Pablo de Pedro. This project also offered her the opportunity of completing a post graduate course in Music Historically Informed. Carolina has participated in national and international festivals such as the Dali Quartet Festival, Habana Clásica, Artes de Cuba Festival at Kennedy Center, Havana Jazz Plaza Festival and Havana Contemporary Music Festival. She is a passionate musician who loves working in different ensembles and projects covering a broad range of music from early to contemporary, folk and jazz.

Ms. Rodrigeuz de Armas will be playing a cello made by Francesco Ruggeri in Cremona, Italy, 1683. It is notable for its dark rich and powerful tone. The instrument is a promised gift of Ken Cancelosi, in memory of his father, Robert Cancelosi.