Katarina M. Pliego completed her doctorate in Cello Performance at the University of Northern Colorado, her MM in Cello Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (UK), and her BA in Music at Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge (UK
At UNC, Katarina performed in several competitions and was the winner of the Downbeat Magazine Award, Arts Innovation Award, Rocky Mountain Concerto Competition, Southard Competition at twice received second prize at the Concerto Competition. At RCS she was the recipient of a generous scholarship for most talented instrumentalist, received a distinction for her final recital and performed Brahms’ Sextet with renowned violinist Ilya Gringolts. In 2012 she performed a series of recitals with pianist Nafis Umerkulova as the winner of Jeunesses Musicales. She also received a scholarship for the Stamford International Chamber Music Festival (UK) and for the Wagner Orchestra in Bayreuth (Germany).
As a soloist she has performed with UNC Wind Ensemble, Anglia Ruskin University Orchestra, K239 Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Music School Žalec, and Nottingham Youth Orchestra. As an orchestral player she has performed with the Fort Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra (UK) and Orion Orchestra (UK).
She has performed at the Royal Festival Hall for the British Royal Family in Cadogan Hall. In years 2013 and 2014 she toured the world as principal cellist in the Shen Yun Performing Arts and played in music halls such as Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Kennedy Center, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, Place des Arts and Sony Centre.
Outside of the classical world, Katarina has toured and recorded an album with the All Angles Jazz Orchestra, and a soul band The Burroughs. Highlights include performing at the Greeley Jazz Festival with Grammy award winning Randy Brecker and Bob Sheppard, New York Voices, and at Red Rocks with Father John Misty, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Kygo and Michael Buble.
https://youtu.be/LadntLEihrk