Pianist | Conductor | Educator | Cultural Ambassador

Boris Cepeda, a German-Ecuadorian artist born in Quito in 1974, has built a remarkable career spanning over four decades. His journey began at just five years old, captivating audiences on Ecuadorian television, and has since taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages.

A Global Musical Presence

Boris has enchanted audiences with his piano recitals across iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Berlin Philharmonie, Konzerthaus Berlin, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Beethoven Haus in Bonn, CCK in Buenos Aires, Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, and Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito. His performances are celebrated for their emotional depth and technical brilliance, earning widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

Conductor, Vocal Coach, and Opera Leader

Since 2009, Boris Cepeda has earned widespread recognition as a conductor, achieving success in both opera and symphonic concert settings. His repertoire spans rediscovered classical masterpieces and premieres of contemporary works.

His most recent triumph was conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, celebrating the 200th anniversary of this monumental composition. This landmark performance highlighted his visionary approach and deep connection to classical music.

Boris has held significant positions at leading opera houses in Germany, where he demonstrated his versatility as a conductor, répétiteur, and vocal coach. At Theater Münster, he served as Head of Music and Deputy Choir Director, conducting opera productions and preparing soloists for acclaimed performances. At the Anhaltisches Theater Dessau, he worked as répétiteur and Deputy Head of Music. His repertoire includes a diverse range of over 70 works, spanning from Handel to Eötvös, showcasing his adaptability and expertise across genres.

Renowned as a vocal coach, Boris has prepared singers for leading opera houses and festivals, including Bayreuth, Royal Opera House London, the Salzburg Festival, and Theater an der Wien. His expertise in Lied performance has earned him critical acclaim, particularly for his dedication to the works of Schubert, Reger, Eggert, and Reimann.

In 2009, Boris launched together with Baritone Peter Schöne the innovative project www.schubertlied.de, which focused on promoting and interpreting Schubert’s Lieder. For this groundbreaking work, he was awarded the prestigious Schubert Prize, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the art of Lied.

A Legacy of Education

Boris is deeply committed to sharing his knowledge and nurturing future generations of musicians. Since 1992, he has been teaching piano at music schools and conservatories worldwide, while also conducting master classes that inspire students at all levels. From 2019 to 2023, he served as a lecturer and research assistant at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, teaching orchestral score reading and piano reduction. Alongside his teaching career, Boris and his wife Katja founded the Max Reger Piano Duo, performing and promoting the rich repertoire for piano four-hands through compelling performances internationally. In 2023, they expanded their collaboration by founding the European Piano Academy of Atlanta, focusing on providing exceptional piano education and fostering artistic growth.

Cultural Leadership

Boris has played a pivotal role in cultural exchange and innovation. As Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Ecuador in Berlin (2002–2007), he led the country’s cultural program for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He also founded the Festival of Ibero-American Music in Bremen and the International Mendelssohn Festival in Ecuador, showcasing his dedication to fostering global musical connections.

Recording and Media

A prolific recording artist, Boris has collaborated with Radio Bremen, Bayerischer Rundfunk, and DeutschlandRadio, interpreting works by Schumann, Schubert, Szymanowski, Reger, and more. His recordings of piano works by Chopin, Liszt, Hindemith, and South American composers are widely accessible on digital platforms, offering listeners a glimpse into his artistic versatility.

Recently, Boris launched his ambitious campaign, “Camino al Grammy”, a visionary project designed to showcase his exceptional artistry and pave the way toward earning one of the highest honors in the music industry.

Ongoing Research and Innovation

Boris is currently completing a doctoral thesis on the 18th-century composer Maximilian Droste-Hülshoff at the University of Münster. His research has already resulted in performances and recordings of Droste-Hülshoff’s piano works. In 2024, Boris performed Maximilian Droste-Hülshoff’s 4th Symphony to great acclaim on two occasions in Ecuador, bringing renewed attention to this underrepresented composer’s works.

In addition to his academic endeavors, Boris served as project manager for Repetitor 2.0, a groundbreaking initiative supported by a grant from the government of the Federal State of Rhineland Westphalia. This project involved creating an innovative collection of interactive video tutorials designed specifically for students in the conducting department at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, providing valuable educational tools to enhance their learning experience.

Steinway Artist and Global Citizen

In 2021, Boris was honored as a Steinway Artist, a testament to his extraordinary contribution to the world of classical music. Rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Germany and Ecuador, Boris continues to build bridges between Europe, Latin America, and the United States through his performances, teaching, and cultural initiatives.