Wilhelmina Smith

Cello

Cellist Wilhelmina Smith made her solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra while a student at the Curtis Institute of Music. She has since forged a versatile musical career based on the strength of her beautiful sound, commitment to a vast repertoire and impassioned performances. This past fall, she was soloist in Esa-Pekka Salonen's cello concerto "Mania" with the SinfoniettaNYC, with the composer present. She has been soloist with numerous orchestras including the Millenium Orchestra of Guatemala and the Ural Philharmonic in Russia and has performed recitals across the US and Japan.

As a chamber musician she has performed with musicians such as Paul Tortelier, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Pamela Frank, Dawn Upshaw, Benita Valente, and members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Brentano, Miami, Borromeo and Galimir String Quartets in major venues across the US and Europe. She has been a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Boston Chamber Music Society, and is currently cellist with the Mannes Trio, Music from Copland House, and Artistic Director of Salt Bay Chamberfest, on the coast of Maine, and Pensacola, Florida’s Classicfest. She currently lives in the Bronx with husband Mark Mandarano and her children, August and Giovanna.