Otávio Manzano Kavakama
Cellist
177 N Highland St, Apt 720
Memphis, TN 38111
(857) 265-0866
otaviokavakama@gmail.com
www.otaviomk.com
Education
- D.M.A., Contemporary Music Performance, Bowling Green State University, in progress
- M.M., Cello Performance, Bowling Green State University, 2019
- B.M., Cello Performance, Highest Honors, University of Southern Mississippi, 2017
Private Studies
- Brian Snow (Bowling Green State University)
- Alexander Russakovsky (University of Southern Mississippi)
Summer Festivals
- Aspen Music Festival and School, 2021-23
- Brevard Music Festival, 2014
- Rio International Cello Encounter (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), 2010, 2011, 2013
Teaching Experience
- Private teaching (Cello and Guitar), 2007-present
- Teaching Fellow, Interlochen Center for the Arts, 2024
- Teaching Fellow, Memphis Music Initiative, 2022-present
- Cello Mentor, Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles, 2017-2019
- Teaching Instructor, OPUS Chamber Music Camp, Naperville, IL, 2018
- Teaching Assistant, Southern Miss Kids Orchestra, Hattiesburg, MS, instructor: Gladys Gonzalez, 2016-17
- Teaching Assistant, String Methods, University of Southern Mississippi, instructor: Dr. Hsiaopei Lee, 2016-17
- Teaching Assistant, Musical Initiation - Music Theory (for 6-8-year-olds), Conservatório de Tatuí-Brazil, instructor: Darli Margarete Ventura Paulillo, 2010
- Guitar Instructor, Instituto Musical Pró-Sound, Atibaia-Brazil, 2007-09
- Graduate Assistant at BGSU - [course number]/[section number]
- Theory II, MuCT 1520/1003, Spring ‘22
- Applied Cello, MusP 2830/1001 (Fall ‘19, Spring ‘20, Fall ‘20, Spring ‘21, Fall ‘21, Spring ‘22)
- String Repertoire and Pedagogy, MusP 4580/1001 (undergraduate) 5580/5001 (graduate), Spring ‘21, instructors: Dr. Brian Snow and Ms. Caroline Chin.
Performing Experience
- Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, 2021-23
- Iris Orchestra (Tennessee), 2022-present
- Memphis Free Jazz Initiative, 2023-present
- Lima Symphony Orchestra (Ohio), 2018-20
- Meridian Symphony Orchestra (Mississippi), 2014-17
- OCAM (São Paulo-Brazil), 2012
- Substitute cellist, Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Tennessee), 2022
- Substitute cellist, Asheville Symphony Orchestra (North Carolina), 2022-23
- Substitute cellist, Mobile Symphony Orchestra (Alabama), 2016
Collaborations
- Renée Fleming (soprano)
- Christopher Theofanidis (composer)
- John Luther Adams (composer)
- Anthony McGill (clarinet)
- Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) (composer)
- Nicholas Phan (tenor)
- Steven Banks (saxophone/composer)
Misc (music)
- Basic knowledge of string instrument repair
- Basic knowledge of audio and video editing
- MuCT 5360 Audio Recording Technique, Instructor: Michael Laurello, @BGSU
- Staff at Festival South (Hattiesburg, MS), 2016, 2017, 2022
- Events Assistant, Equipment crew, Stage crew
- Staff at Natchez Festival of Music, 2022
- Data entry for the Music Library @BGSU, Spring ‘22
- String Instruments Inventory person at the University of Southern Miss, 2013-2017
- Taking care of the school’s string instruments
- Assigning instruments to students in the String Methods class, as well as to other students (double bassists who did not own an instrument; student who needed an instrument while theirs was being repaired; etc.)
- Stage and equipment crew at the University of Southern Mississippi, 2013-2017
- Setting up and striking for rehearsals and concerts
- Moving instruments and equipment to and from locations (double basses, pianos, music stands, chairs, etc.)
- Driving van with instruments and/or people to and from concerts/rehearsals
- Member of the taiko group Kawasuji Seiryu Daiko of Atibaia-Brazil, 2006-2009
- Member of many rock bands as a guitarist, drummer, bass player, and singer, Atibaia-Brazil, 2001-2008
Misc (non-music)
- Languages:
- Portuguese, English, Spanish
- Basic knowledge of bicycle repair
- Linux user (EndeavourOS with Sway) and FOSS enthusiast (Free and Open Source Software)
- Enjoys swimming, cycling, and reading (current book: Orlando, by Virginia Woolf)