Cellist and Music Educator
Dr. Tian Sanchez-Ballado, a first-generation Cuban American from Tampa, Florida, is a versatile musician, dedicated educator, and mentor known for his work in studio teaching, solo and chamber music, conducting, research, and classroom instruction. With over a decade of public-school teaching experience, he brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his educational endeavors.
Dr. Sanchez-Ballado is the Music Director of the Florida State University Sinfonia Orchestra and Music Director of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras Intermezzo Ensemble. He also serves as Co-Chair of the American String Teachers Association's DEI Committee, is a board member of the National String Project Consortium and holds the position of Ethics Chairperson for the Florida Orchestra Association. Previously, he was the Assistant Director of the University of South Carolina String Project and has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College and as an Instructor at the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Sanchez-Ballado earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance with a Music Education Minor from the University of South Carolina. He also holds an Advanced Graduate Performance Diploma in Cello Performance from the University of South Florida, a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music in Performance with Honors from the University of Central Florida.
As a lifelong learner, Dr. Sanchez-Ballado is currently pursuing a PhD in Music Education at Florida State University, where his mentors include Dr. Kasia Bugaj in string education and Dr. Alexander Jiménez in conducting.
His principal cello teachers have included Robert Jesselson, Scott Kluksdahl, Helga Winold, David Starkweather, and Laurel Stanton. He completed his music education studies under the guidance of Dr. Gail V. Barnes.
Dr. Sanchez-Ballado’s research interests focus on the pedagogy of American cellist Margaret Rowell, the role of shame and vulnerability in music education, and culturally responsive classroom pedagogy.
He performs on a modern cello crafted by American luthier Dereck Coons.