Álvaro Bitrán started playing the cello at the age of seven, and concluded his formal studies at Indiana University under the guidance of world-renowned cellist Janos Starker.
In 1982 he founded the Cuarteto Latinoamericano, a string quartet that now enjoys world-wide recognition. In addition to frequent tours of both North and South America, the quartet also tours Europe, Israel, Japan, China and New Zealand.
Recent performances have included New York's Carnegie Hall, Washington's Kennedy Center and Milan's Teatro Alla Scala.
His recordings (more than 100 in all) have appeared in various labels such as Dorian, New Albion and Urtext and have received several prizes, including the Diapason D'Or and two Latin Grammy Awards.
Álvaro Bitrán is regularly invited to play as soloist with some of the major orchestras in our continent: Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina and Venezuela symphony orchestras, Dallas Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Seattle and San Antonio Symphony in the U.S. and Ottawa's National Arts Center Orchestra in Canada, among others.
Álvaro Bitrán is firmly committed to the creation of new music for his instrument and has premiered and recorded many new works dedicated to him He has released five solo CD's featuring new music by Latin American composers, as well as traditional repertoire.
He has devoted much of his energy to teaching and is responsible for the development of an entire generation of cellists in Mexico.
Currently, he is a faculty member at the National Conservatory, UNAM, and Ollin Yolitzli, all in Mexico City.
Additionally, he offers seminars and master classes in many universities in the US and Latin America, and plays in a cello built in 1817 by Martin Stoss in Vienna.