Meet Our 2026 Chatelain Young Artist Competition Winner

Guatemalan-American cellist Rony Castro, 19, is an emerging young artist noted for his expressive playing and remarkably rapid musical development. Born in Dodge City, KS and raised in Guatemala, he began studying cello at the age of 15 after relocating to the United States.

Within just a few years, Rony established himself as one of the leading young cellists in Kansas. He was selected to the Kansas All-State Full Orchestra in both 2023 and 2024 and served as Principal Cellist of the Wichita Youth Symphony Orchestra during the 2023–2024 season. In 2024, he received Honorable Mention in the junior division of the Kansas American String Teachers Association Competition.

Rony has appeared as soloist on multiple occasions. After receiving Second Prize in the Wichita Symphony Youth Talent Competition, he performed the Elgar Cello Concerto at Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, KS. He later received First Prize in the Delano Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition.

He has participated in numerous festivals and intensive programs, including the Sunflower Music Festival, Heartland Chamber Music Festival, Ascent Music Festival, and The Colorado Cello Intensive.

An active chamber musician, Rony performs frequently throughout the Kansas City region and is the cellist of the Rockhill String Quartet, an emerging ensemble based in Kansas City. The quartet has been featured on 91.9 Classical KC, has premiered new works, and will embark on a Kansas tour in May 2026.

In addition to performing, Rony is deeply committed to music education and community engagement. He currently serves on the faculty of the Southwest Kansas Youth Orchestras Program, which is committed to making music education more accessible to students throughout Southwest Kansas.

Rony previously studied with Quinn Lake of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Susie Yang of the Kansas City Symphony. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory, where he studies with Professor Michael Mermagen.