Cellist · Louisville, Kentucky
Cecilia Huerta-Lauf
“An assured soloist” with “fearless technique.”
Founder and director of NouLou Chamber Players, substitute cellist with the Louisville Orchestra, and a musician equally at home in Bach, new music, Latin American repertoire and the rock stage.
Upcoming performances
Full calendar
About
Passion and heart,
from Bach to Broadway
A native of Dickson, Tennessee, Cecilia began playing at four and made her debut with the Nashville Symphony at sixteen. Today she leads NouLou Chamber Players, plays with the Louisville Orchestra, and performs electric cello with Electria — with stops along the way in opera pits, Broadway tours, festival stages and recording studios.
Collaborations
On stage and in the studio with
- George Benson
- Stevie Wonder
- Andrea Bocelli
- Bobby McFerrin
- Chick Corea
- Gloria Estefan
- Weezer
- Jack Harlow
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Under the baton of Bernard Haitink, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Michael Tilson Thomas and Teddy Abrams.
Training
A conservatory pedigree
- D.M.A.University of Miami, Frost School of Music · Ross Harbaugh
- M.M.New England Conservatory · Paul Katz
- B.M.DePaul University · Steve Balderston & Brant Taylor
First prize, Chicago Cliff Dwellers String Competition · Winner, Frost Symphony Concerto Competition · Semi-finalist, Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition · Henry Mancini Institute Fellow
Listen
Recordings
From NouLou Chamber Players, the ensemble Cecilia founded and directs.
Cellostatus
Three cello concertos commissioned by NouLou from Ljova, Alyssa Weinberg and Dorian Wallace, with Louisville Orchestra principal cellist Nicholas Finch. Bright Shiny Things, 2025. “Superb!! … Bravi!!” — Yo-Yo Ma
Payne Hollow Piano Trio
Daniel Gilliam’s musical portrait of Harlan and Anna Hubbard’s life on the Ohio River, with the soundscape “winterloops.” Released 2025.
Gallery
In performance
Teaching
Lessons & coaching
Suzuki- and O’Connor-certified, Cecilia has taught at the University of Miami and the University of Louisville’s Community Music Program, and coaches for the Louisville Academy of Music and Louisville Youth Orchestra. She welcomes private students in the Louisville area.
Contact
Bookings, collaborations & lessons
For concerts, recordings, collaborations and private lessons, Cecilia would love to hear from you.