Biography

Mikko Pablo began playing the cello in the Philippines at the age of 16 under the mentorship of Amador Tamayo. Two years later, he received a full scholarship to study in California with Bongshin Ko and Daniel Rothmuller of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 2020, he moved to Belgium to study with Justus Grimm.

Primarily a chamber musician, Mikko is the cellist of the Susato Trio, 1st prize winner of the 2024 Supernova Competition organized by the Klarafestival and of the “Génération Classique 2022” competition organized by Les Festivals de Wallonie. In 2023, the trio started their studies at the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) founded by Hatto Beyerle of the Alban Berg Quartet.

Driven by curiosity, Mikko frequently explores creative possibilities for the cello. In 2019, he worked with Sofia Gubaidulina to perform her work “In Croce” for cello and bayan for a concert with the composer in attendance. He has performed in masterclasses for artists such as Pieter Wispelwey, Nathaniel Rosen, Young-Chang Cho, Gustav Rivinius, Konstantin Heidrich, and Alexander Rudin, among others.

Core to Mikko’s identity as a performer is the belief that being open and vulnerable invites others to do the same. Mikko strives for that type of connection in his life both onstage and offstage.