Callie Gálvez is a Grammy-nominated American cellist based in Los Angeles, California, who continuously draws inspiration from her Cuban-German background. She strives to integrate the cello’s voice in classical, indie, rock, pop, and soul genres.
In the last year, Gálvez has collaborated with numerous artists including Anthony Green, Half Alive, Johan Lenox, Goon, and CHON and been hired to play the following festivals: Lollapalooza, Coachella, Outside Lands, Bumbershoot, and Firefly. A few of her recent performances can be seen at NPR’s Tiny Desk and on the TV Shows, Jimmy Kimmel and James Corden.
She is an active member of the local singer-songwriter community and enjoys improvising, looping sounds, and recording with artists at Deathstar, EastWest, and Sony studios. During most weeks, her cello can be heard at one of the live music venues in Los Angeles such as the Troubadour, Hotel Café, Fonda Theater, or Satellite or at curated artist events through Silverlake Sessions and SoFar Sounds.
During her classical training, Gálvez was accepted to music festivals as a scholarship recipient and served as a principal cellist on full-fellowship at the National Orchestral Institute and was hired as the personal assistant to the principal of the LA Philharmonic. Passionate about opera, Gálvez was contracted as principal cellist for Opera Buffs, Inc and assistant principal for the Pacific Opera Project Company.
As an educator, she enjoys being the cello instructor at AMUSE Music Center where she maintains a private studio of over twenty cellists. She is a member of MTAC (Music Teachers of Association of California) and is VOCE competition chair for her branch. Gálvez has also taught at Children of Promise Preparatory Academy and been a frequent artist coach at Gustavo Dudamel's Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA).
Gálvez currently plays on two cellos, one a Venetian cello from 1920 named Giorgio and a Luis and Clark carbon fiber cello named Dédalo.