Juan Ferreras
About
Cello Teacher of the year @ Lessonface in 2025
I'm an Argentine cellist, improviser, and arranger with over two decades of experience performing and teaching across classical, popular, and contemporary music. I love working with students of all ages and levels —from young beginners to advanced adult players— helping them build solid technique while discovering their own musical voice, whether that's through classical repertoire, improvisation, or crossover styles.
My teaching draws on a wide artistic background: I hold a cello performance degree with highest honors from the Conservatorio Superior de Música Astor Piazzolla (studies with Stanimir Todorov), a Master's in Cello Performance from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil (CAPES Scholarship, under Fábio Presgrave), and I'm currently a second-year PhD candidate at UFMG, researching the cellist's body in free improvisation at the intersection of contemporary music and dance.
My background also includes a Sociology degree from the University of Buenos Aires, which enriches my understanding of music's cultural and social dimensions. I specialize in creating engaging, tailored lessons for students of all levels, focusing on technique, musicality, and creative expression. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, my goal is to help you unlock your potential and enjoy the journey of playing the cello.
Teaching Style
I'm passionate about the cello and love sharing that enthusiasm with anyone eager to start or deepen their journey with this incredible instrument.
My lessons are built around you: while classical music is the foundation, I also draw on popular music, songs, and improvisation as tools to explore your creativity and keep the learning process engaging.
Technique is a cornerstone of my teaching, but I always put it in service of the music you want to make. Whether you're working toward a classical piece or experimenting with improvisation, my goal is to help you express yourself through the cello and grow as a musician.
Curriculum
I tailor my teaching materials to each student’s level, goals, and musical interests, ensuring a personalized and enriching experience.
For students interested in traditional methods, I use renowned resources such as Suzuki, Dotzauer, Duport, and Popper, alongside classical and romantic repertoire by composers like Bach, Beethoven, Fauré, and Haydn. For those looking to explore beyond the classical canon, I incorporate contemporary works from recent decades, offering a fresh and innovative perspective.
Additionally, I bring a deep knowledge of Argentine and Brazilian music to my lessons. From the iconic works of Astor Piazzolla and Heitor Villa-Lobos to the timeless melodies of Tom Jobim, I can guide you in exploring the rich musical traditions of South America.
Together, we will build a learning path that inspires and challenges you, always keeping your musical goals at the center.
Credentials & Affiliations
I had the privilege of studying with renowned Maestros Stanimir Todorov, Elise Pittenger, Fábio Presgrave, Jorge Pérez Tedesco, and Claudio Peña. Additionally, I participated in cello masterclasses led by esteemed professors such as Hugo Pilger, José Pedro Ottonello, Pedro de Alcántara, and Jacques Morelembaum, among others.
My most recent projects have included collaborations with prominent experimental artists and contemporary dancers, merging classical cello repertoire with innovative artistic expressions.
In recent years, I have focused extensively on exploring solo cello repertoire by 20th and 21st-century composers, including works by Britten, Glass, Lavista, Carter, Alexander Schubert, Farkas, and others. This research and performance initiative has been supported by BAMúsica and the Fondo Nacional de las Artes. Several contemporary composers, including Diego Taranto, Gabriela Areal, Tomás Cabado, Caio Facó, Carolina Rizzi, and Claudio Peña, have dedicated original works for solo cello to me. These compositions have been premiered at distinguished events such as Festival Atemporánea 2023 and the IX Simpósio Internacional de Música na Amazônia (SIMA) 2023, as well as in other notable concerts.
I have also performed extensively as a solo cellist, presenting both composed and improvised works in dance and improvisation workshops with artists Martín Piliponsky and Elia Mrak at the Universidad de las Artes and various international festivals. My music has been broadcast on radio programs in Argentina and Europe, and I have contributed to numerous recordings as an arranger and performer.
In 2022, I performed with the Philharmonic of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in prestigious venues such as Sala São Paulo, the Campos de Jordão Festival, and the university’s music school auditorium. That same year, I gave solo performances in Natal-RN and at São Paulo’s INDEX Festival, showcasing improvisations and solo cello repertoire, and also performed with the UFRN Cellos ensemble. Additionally, I contributed as producer, arranger, and cellist to the release of Cássio Carvalho's album AREIA.
In 2023, I was the principal cellist for the award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen, directed by Sebastián Iñigo and musically led by Tomás Meyer Wolf, with performances spanning six months at the Metropolitan Theater and three months at Teatro Maipo in Buenos Aires. In 2024, I continued in musical theater as the cellist for the 12th season of Next to Normal, performed from August to November at the Metropolitan Theater.