About Alejandra

Alejandra Ramirez, a first-generation musician with roots in Mexico and Venezuela, was born in Dallas, TX. Her journey with the cello began at the age of eleven, fostered by the support of her parents and the public school system.

As a soloist, Alejandra has graced the stage multiple times with the Brookhaven College Choir and has been an integral part of esteemed ensembles such as the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, the Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra, and the TCU cello ensemble. Collaborating with the Texas Cellos ensemble, she has performed in renowned venues including the Moody Performance Hall, the Van Cliburn Concert Hall, and PepsiCo Recital Hall.

Alejandra's dedication to her craft has led her to participate in master classes with notable instructors such as Felix Wang and Cornelia Watkins. She is also the founder of “The New View Cello Ensemble,” which showcased its talent at the 2018 Texas Music Educators convention in San Antonio, TX.

In 2020, Alejandra served as the assistant principal cellist for the world premiere of Kevin Day’s Tango Obscuro and a performance of Copland’s Appalachian Spring. These performances garnered recognition at the CODA Virtual Symposium, where they secured 3rd place in the American Prize in Orchestral Performance.

Beyond her musical pursuits, Alejandra finds joy in playing the Viola da Gamba, crocheting, and nurturing plants, adding layers to her artistic expression and enriching her life outside of music.

About Nathalie

Nathalie Joy Hernandez Ayala, born in Tijuana, México, embarked on her cello journey at age 11 under the guidance of Professor Victoria Getman at Sinfónica Juvenil de Tijuana A.C. Her talent was evident early on, earning her the Young Artists Talent Scholarship from the state of Baja California at age 16.

Under the mentorship of Professor Yevgeniya Kobylyanska, cellist of the Baja California Orchestra, Nathalie flourished, performing with the esteemed cello ensemble Cellofornia and undertaking an internship with the orchestra from 2015 to 2016. She showcased her solo prowess with appearances alongside Sinfónica Juvenil de Tijuana and the Western Illinois University Orchestra.

Nathalie's academic journey led her to Western Illinois University, supported by the Presidents International String Quartet scholarship. Under the guidance of Dr. Moises Molina and Dr. Ghyas Zeidei, she completed her undergraduate degree, culminating in the quartet's second-place win at the 2016 Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition.

Her musical education extends to prestigious institutions such as the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia, Michoacán, and Texas Christian University, where she served as a graduate teaching assistant under the tutelage of Dr. Jesus Castro Balbi and Dr. Juliette Herlin, earning her Masters degree.

Beyond her classical pursuits, Nathalie is a versatile artist, finding joy in producing music and collaborating across disciplines. Currently, she enriches the musical community as a member of the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra and as a faculty member at the Rojas School of Music.