Biography

Nancy Olivares, a distinguished cellist from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, is celebrated for her artistry and achievements in both solo and orchestral performance. Winner of the 2021 National Cello Competition of Mexico in the professional category, Nancy's career reflects a commitment to excellence and a deep passion for music.
 

Nancy began her musical journey at the age of five and, by seven, was studying cello under Temenuzhka Ostreva at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey (Monterrey College of Music and Dance). She completed her undergraduate studies there, laying the foundation for a career marked by exceptional milestones.

​

She has been a soloist with various orchestras, including the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Rhode Island and the Symphony Orchestra of Monterrey College of Music.

Her early passion for orchestral music earned her the position of principal cellist with the Orquesta Sinfónica Infantil de México (Mexican Children's Symphony Orchestra) for three consecutive years. She later served as principal cellist with the Orquesta Sinfónica Azteca in 2021 and 2023, under the direction of renowned conductor Paolo Bortolameolli.

​

Nancy’s orchestral career has included fellowships at esteemed institutions such as the National Orchestral Institute + Festival in 2024, where she performed under Marin Alsop and played at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as well as at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago with the NOI orchestra. She also joined The Orchestra of the Americas for a historic 2019 tour across Mexico under Carlos Miguel Prieto, performing alongside soloist Gil Shaham.

​

Throughout her career, Nancy has held principal cello positions in various orchestras, including the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Rhode Island, the Mexico Opera Studio Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonic Orchestra “La Super”.

​

As an educator, Nancy has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians. She served as a teaching assistant at the International Cello Festival in León, Mexico, in 2022 and 2024, where she conducted masterclasses and performed as a soloist.

​

Nancy holds a Graduate Artist Certificate in Orchestral Performance and Digital Creation from OAcademy. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Rhode Island, studying under the guidance of Michal Shein.