“Watch for great things in store for this rising cello virtuoso” -Chicago Classical Review
Jan Vargas Nedvetsky’s solo cello performances have captivated audiences across the United States and beyond and have earned praise from leading musicians and art organizations.
Born in Chicago, IL, the seventeen-year-old cellist is a fellow at two internationally recognized young artist development programs, the Music Institute of Chicago Academy and the Musikakademie in Liechtenstein. Jan is a recipient of Young Arts career grant as a 2024 Winner with Distinction in Cello Performance, the highest award of the National Young Arts Foundation. Additional accolades include prizes in national and international competitions, merit scholarships, and grants from national art foundations.
Bringing live classical music performances to a variety of communities and expanding access to music education have been two of Jan’s central priorities as an engaged citizen musician. He performed solo recitals in remote communities, retirement homes, public schools, and places of worship across the United States. As a co-founder of the Musicians for Hope organization, Jan has participated in highly successful fundraising initiatives transforming music education opportunities in several Chicagoland public schools.
Jan studies cello performance with Professor Hans Jorgen Jensen and Oleksa Mycyk and has been honored to perform in masterclasses and learn from such artists and pedagogues as Jens Peter Maintz, Ivan Monighetti, Richard Aaron, Jerome Pernoo, Clive Greensmith, Menahem Pressler, and Ivri Gitlis, and to perform under the baton of Marin Alsop. Jan has previously studied with Gilda Barston, Horacio Contreras and Vladimir Perline.
Jan was featured on Chicago Classical Radio WFMT on multiple occasions and performed live on ABC TV program Amazing Kids. His anticipated return solo recital on WFMT Chicago Classical radio is scheduled for September of 2024.
In 2016-2021 Jan participated in Musica Mundi International Chamber Music Festival in Waterloo, Belgium. In the summer of 2022-2023 Jan attended Meadowmount School of Music in Westport, NY. In the summer of 2024 Jan was selected to participate in Gstaad Menuhin Academy in Gstaad Switzerland.
Jan is a student at the North Atlantic Regional High School where he pursues advanced studies in mathematics, literature and economics.