My name is Kevin Soto, a 16-year-old cellist from Albany Park, one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in Chicago. I am a part of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and The People’s Music School—where I first began my cello journey—which eventually led me to earn a chair in the top orchestra of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.

It has been my dream since I was 7 years old, playing on my first 1/4-sized cello, to go off to college and pursue a career as a professional cellist. Since then, I’ve had incredible experiences that have shaped me as a musician, including performing with Gustavo Dudamel at Walt Disney Concert Hall and even playing for former President Barack Obama!

Now, in the present, the time has come for me to pass on my loaned cello from The People’s Music School to the next set of aspiring musicians. As I take this next big step toward college, I am humbly asking for your support. With your help, I hope to raise enough funds to purchase a cello of my own—an instrument I can take with me into this next chapter of my musical journey.

Please consider helping me achieve my dream of becoming a professional cellist and continuing to make music from my heart for the world.

Watch a concert of me from Luzerne Music Center! :

https://youtu.be/6hGRBGX0Low

Watch me perform with Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra: https://youtu.be/3F19Kr9HmB0?si=yeETKYixvdr8TA_Z