A ferocious, passionate and personally charismatic artist, Cuban-born Andrés Cárdenes has garnered international acclaim from critics and audiences alike for his compelling solo violin, conducting, viola, chamber music, concertmaster, and recording performances. Since catapulting into the upper tier of violin virtuosos after capturing Second Prize in the 1982 Tchaikovsky International Violin Compet ition (Moscow), he has appeared as soloist with over 100 orchestras on four continents and is in growing demand as a conductor. Mr. Cárdenes has served as Artistic Director and Leader of the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra since its inception in 1999. His renowned teaching and pedagogical career, which began as an assistant to teacher and mentor Josef Gingold at Indiana University, spans over 30 years. Today, he holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Violin Studies and the Dorothy Richard Starling/Alexander Speyer Jr. Endowed Chair at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music.