Cesar Hernandez, originally from Sioux City, Iowa, is currently a student at the University of South Dakota studying Cello Performance under the guidance of Dr. Sonja Kraus. He will perform the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Opus 33.

At USD, Cesar has been a member of the USD Symphony Orchestra, USD Chamber Orchestra, and the Ensemble Zusammen. In the spring of 2024, Cesar was part of a piano trio ensemble that worked under the mentorship of the Rawlins Piano Trio. Outside of USD, Cesar has performed with the Cherokee Symphony and has been part of the Cafea Concert Series in Sioux Fall, South Dakota. Cesar also composes music and has had four of his compositions performed at USD. In the spring of 2022, Cesar won first place at the Harmonium Annual Siouxland Composer Competition.

Mr. Hernandez will be playing a cello made by Gennaro Gagliano, Naples, Italy, 1735, with a bow by William Salchow. The instrument is a promised gift of Ken Cancelosi, in memory of his father, Robert Cancelosi.