“…an excellent cellist and musician. He is highly disciplined, takes his work very seriously, and is always prepared. His playing is on a very high level, technically and musically…a superb and effective teacher…”

Dr. Tian Sanchez-Ballado is a first-generation CubaRican-American artist, teacher, educator, and researcher. He conducts the University Sinfonia at Florida State University and the Intermezzo Ensemble of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras, where he also serves as Director of Education and Artistic Operations.

His research explores teacher preparation, applied studio pedagogy, student-centered approaches to music learning, and innovative pedagogical methods. He is particularly interested in how neuroscience and artificial intelligence can inform the future of music education. Through both research and teaching, he aims to bridge traditional artistry with research-informed practice, advocating for student-centered pedagogies that nurture the next generation of musicians and educators.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Sanchez-Ballado holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance with a minor in Music Education from the University of South Carolina, studying cello with Dr. Robert Jesselson and music education with Dr. Gail V. Previous cello studies include teachers Laurel Stanton, Dr. David Starkweather, Scott Kluksdahl, and Dr. Helga Winold. He is completing his PhD in String Music Education with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting at Florida State University, where he studies with Dr. Kasia Bugaj and Dr. Alexander Jiménez.

A dedicated leader in national music education, Dr. Sanchez-Ballado is the current President of the Florida chapter of the American String Teachers Association, and also serves on the board of the National String Project Consortium. He has previously held leadership roles with the American String Teachers Association. He has taught at Columbia College and the University of South Carolina, as well as in various educational settings, consistently prioritizing student agency and excellence in the arts.

He performs on a modern cello by American luthier Dereck Coons.