Alumni Spotlight: Gabriela Gómez Estévez

Recent School of Music doctoral graduate Gabriela Gómez Estévez, from the studio of Scott Terrell, has been named Assistant Professor and Director of Orchestras at Cornell University.

Estévez has established herself as a fervent champion of new music and diversity of repertoire. In 2021, Gabriela founded Operability, an annual opera festival that features new and diverse works for voice and chamber ensemble. Through this project, she has fostered artistic and educational partnerships bycommissioning and premiering works written by emerging composers. Recent collaborations include partnerships with the Newphonia Ensemble and the Constantinides New Music Ensemble.

Dr. Gómez Estévez’s scholarly work focuses on the symphonic works of Dominican composer Margarita Luna García. Her research provides historical and cultural frameworks to Luna García’s compositions and improves public access to her works. Her scholarship has been supported by the Dominican Studies Institute of the City University of New York, and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

"My time at LSU was truly transformative. I am indebted to my professors and my colleagues for helping me forge my professional path and for pushing me to grow as an artist and teacher. I will carry those lessons with me as I start the next stage of my career. Forever LSU!"

–Gabriela Gómez Estévez

Gabriela holds a doctorate in orchestral conducting from Louisiana State University, a master’s degree in flute performance from the same institution, and a bachelor’s degree in flute performance from Berklee College of Music. Her conducting teachers include Scott Terrell, Damon Talley, and Kenneth Kiesler. Following the conclusion of her doctoral studies, Gabriela was selected to attend the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and School as a conducting fellow.