Iván was born in 1990 in Vigo, Galicia, Spain. During his time in Galicia, he took lessons with Luis Caballero and Isabel Figueroa and honed his musical skills with the Orquesta Clásica de Vigo, Orquesta Joven Sinfónica de Galicia, and Banda Escola de Música de Beade. In 2009, he moved to Zaragoza, Spain, to pursue his bachelor's degree at the CSMA, studying under Mayte García and Fernando Arias. He also participated in masterclasses with Angel Luis Quintana, Xavier Gagnepain, Wolfgang Boettcher, and Lluis Claret. His chamber music education was enriched by lessons with Cuarteto Quiroga and Kennedy Moretti. In 2013, Iván moved to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to earn a master's degree under maestro H. J. Stegenga. The vibrant international cultural scene of Rotterdam continues to inspire Iván in his diverse musical projects.
As an orchestral cellist, Iván has performed with the Metropole Orkest, Orquestra Vigo 430, and the Real Filharmonía de Galicia. In the contemporary music scene, he has been a member of AKOM Ensemble, Oihua Ensemble, and Academia para la Nueva Música, under the direction of Nacho de Paz.
Iván's career as a cellist is best defined by the projects he has shaped over the past decade, where he brings together his classical music training, background in world and folk music, and entrepreneurial skills. One of his most active projects is the string collective Agathe Ensemble. Within Agathe, Iván performs and manages multiple music programs and productions, including the string quartet, violin and cello duo, and cello duo. Under his leadership, the ensemble has established a prominent place in the Dutch chamber music scene, presenting classical repertoire in a fresh, innovative, and accessible way. In the fall of 2023, Agathe Ensemble released its first album, "Intimate Sketches," featuring new arrangements by Iván of piano music by Bartók, Shostakovich, and Janáček.
Iván enjoys playing a variety of genres, including tango, pop, jazz, theater, and world music, both in his own projects and in collaboration with other artists. One of his standout projects was the jazz string quartet DOT Quartet, which won the Delft Chamber Music Award in 2018. Recent theater productions include "Giovanca Honors Diana Ross" with singer Giovanca and "Madam Koo" with AKOM Ensemble.
This wide range of genres has led Iván to approach music in the broadest and most comprehensive sense. In 2021, he produced his first solo album, "ON.CELLO - tones&tunes," featuring his own compositions and arrangements for solo cello. This album was the result of his exploration into the possibilities of the cello within the folk music of his homeland, Galicia, which is part of the Celtic tradition. Since then, Iván has become increasingly involved in folk and Celtic music, exploring and promoting the role of the cello within this genre.
Driven by the needs of his music projects, Iván has also developed his skills as an arranger and editor. He has produced works for strings and orchestra, both for his own groups and on commission. In 2022, his first sheet music book was published by Grupo Beroly, featuring 10 arrangements and compositions for solo cello. In 2024, Iván completed 20 orchestral pieces commissioned by Leerorkest Drechtsteden, which will form the core of a new teaching method developed by this Dutch educational program.
Since January 2022, Iván has been a member of Batavierhuis, the independent makerspace and incubator for Rotterdam's talent.
"The cello is a wonderful instrument and, for me, the best way to express myself and connect with others. I am always curious about how I can play the cello in different ways, even in music where the instrument is not typically featured. Exploring new cello pieces and arranging all kinds of music is something I truly enjoy; it has been a real eye-opener for me."
Contact
For questions or to make a booking, you can contact us via the contact form or by email.