Isaiah Valdez is a 24 year old native of Harlingen, Texas, who began his musical journey at Vernon Middle School, laying the foundation for his passion for music. His early training was shaped under the guidance of Dr. Tido Janssen at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where he honed his skills and developed a deep appreciation for the cello. Continuing his studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Isaiah has worked with a distinguished roster of teachers, including Dr. Rylie Harrod, Dr. Yi Qun Xu, Kenneth Freudigman, Bonnie Hampton, Holgen Gjoni, and Ignacio Gallego. He has also participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Julien Swartz, Brook Speltz, Santiago Cañón Valencia, Josh Gindele, Tommy Mesa and Emilio Colón, enriching his musical insight and technique. He also holds a Bachelors Degree in Cello Performance from UTSA as well. Isaiah is an active participant in chamber music at UTSA and finds great joy in musical collaboration. Beyond performance, he composes across many genres, and his suite for solo piano, Silent Cartography, earned recognition and awards at UTSA's COLFA Research Conference in 2021. In Spring 2025, his Piano Concerto No. 1 "One Day" was premiered by the San Antonio Community Orchestra, where it was met with much praise and success. In Fall 2024, Isaiah also made his solo debut with the San Antonio Community Orchestra, performing Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor—a milestone in his growing performance career. In addition to his academic and performance activities, Isaiah runs an active and thriving private cello studio, where he teaches students in both cello and composition. His teaching emphasizes strong technical foundations, musical creativity, and individualized mentorship. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy at UTSA, Isaiah aspires to follow in the footsteps of his mentors. His long-term goal is to become a university-level music educator, blending performance, composition, and pedagogy into a well-rounded and impactful career