About Us

Mayara Velasquez

FOUNDER| DIRECTOR| CELLO INSTRUCTOR| BABY SUZUKI CLASS INSTRUCTOR 

As a child, Mayara dreamed of playing the violin in an orchestra. However, her instructor could not find a violin small enough to fit her, so she went in the opposite direction; She found the cello, an instrument that spoke to her soul as a near-human voice.
To realize her dream, Mayara studied at The Carabobo Conservatory and continued her education as part of “El Sistema” Nucleo Valencia. The winner of numerous awards and scholarships, Mayara studied with Denis Parker at Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Music) and then Vagram Saradjian at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music (Master of Music Performance).
As a sophomore, Mayara won a tenure contract at the Baton Rouge Symphony, and during her senior year, she played with the Acadiana Symphony in Lafayette.
She toured with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, including a collaboration with Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero. The recording of that performance won a Grammy award. Other notable performances include Beethoven Symphony #9 with the Akademische Orchester in Leipzig at the Gewandhaus.
In Houston, Mayara performs regularly with the St. Andrews String Quartet, Houston Latin Philharmonic, and formerly with Musiqa and with The Terra Nostra Ensemble, which is the Ensemble-in-Residence at Houston Baptist University. Mayara co-founded Terra Nostra in 2016.
Mayara currently freelances for performances and events, including invitations to play with the Eagles, Johnny Mathis, the Who, the Game of Thrones of Tour, Weird “Al” Yankovich, and Placido Domingo.
After realizing her dream, Mayara found her passion in teaching music to children. Mayara received cello training in the Suzuki method and additional Suzuki Early Childhood Education. She serves as a clinician for the Mercury Educational Program, Parker Elementary School, AFA, Escuela Nacional de Música de Honduras, and Southeast Texas Suzuki Association (STXSA). In addition, she is a Suzuki teacher and a Suzuki mom. Today, Mayara serves as the president of the Southeast Texas Suzuki Association. She continues to be passionate about teaching and coaching. She holds a private studio. She is the cello instructor at the Kinkaid School and the SOFA program at St. Andrews School. She serves as coach, adjudicator, and teacher for the Melody Program of the Houston Youth Symphony.
Most importantly, she continues her legacy by teaching music to her children.

Nataly Linares

CO FOUNDER| ASSISTANT DIRECTOR| BASS INSTRUCTOR

Originally from Bogotá–Colombia where she began her musical studies at age 18 with Double Bass as her main instrument, Nataly completed her musical instruction in Double Bass with academic coursework and piano at Central University in Bogotá, while later receiving her Master’s degree in Double Bass performance at University of Houston with Dennis Whittaker as her teacher.
Her pedagogical experience began in her country with children 7-18 through Batuta National Foundation, working as a Cello/ Double bass instructor and pre-orchestra ensembles conductor. As a part of her job she constantly attended pedagogical and musical workshops including: Orff, Dalcroze, Kodaly, voice lessons, flute lessons, Colombian folk music, percussion and guitar. She is currently a registered Suzuki Bass teacher. Besides Batuta, she worked as a Double Bass/ Cello teacher and String Ensemble conductor at Guasca City Hall, Colombia before her arrival to Texas where she has been actively working as a Double Bass and Cello Private Teacher/ Clinician in Houston, Katy, Clear Creek, Conroe, Kingwood, Tomball and Brazosport ISD. Moreover, she worked as a private Guitar, Cello and Double Bass instructor at Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music for more than 6 years.
Since December 2020, she has been working with young students and teachers through the “Festival Internacional de Contrabajo Infantil” with teachers from Mexico, Spain, United States and Germany. Linares also works with ISB International Society of Bassists, helping the young bassist program. She has joined several orchestras and ensembles like: Orquesta Sinfónica de Bogotá, Sincopados Ensemble, Bayou City Bass Quartet, Central University Chamber Orchestra, University of Houston Symphony Orchestra, Clear Lake Symphony Orchestra, Orford Academy Orchestra (Canada), National Music Festival, The Symphony of South Texas, Brazos Valley symphony Orchestra, Opera Leggera with Grammy award winner Ernesto Vega and Queensbury theater pit's orchestra with several musical productions including the world premiere of “For Tonight.” She is currently working as a music teacher and freelance musician, embracing the Suzuki's philosophy and tailoring it to her students and the community she teaches.