Biography – Andreas Wetås Jara

Andreas Wetås Jara is a Norwegian–Chilean cellist who has performed in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Norway. In 2024, he was awarded the Steenslandstipendet from the Inge Steensland Foundation, and he has also received support from the Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation, Sparebank 1 SR-Bank, Drømmestipendet, Barkved Endowment Fund, Gurli Springer-Nissvandt Endowment Fund, Solofondet, and the municipalities of Arvika and Sandnes.

As a soloist, Andreas has appeared with the Yehudi Menuhin String Orchestra, Junges Kammerorchester Freiburg, Norrköping Wind Orchestra, Nivalis Baroque Academy, and Norwegian ensembles including Jæren Symphony Orchestra, Sandnes Ung Symfoni, and ensembles from Vågen VGS and Ingesund School of Music. He has performed at festivals such as the International Chamber Music Festival (ICMF) Stavanger, Glafsfjorden Festival (SE), K&M Festival Stavanger (NO), and the Villa Faraldi Festival (IT), and toured with TTM Soloists in Concert, led by Mark Messenger.

He is an active chamber musician and has collaborated with artists including Andreas Brantelid, Philippe Graffin, Audun Sandvik, Tora Augestad, Magnus Ericsson, Pavla Tesařová, Ingerine Dahl, Ilmari Hopkins, Liv Opdal, Nikita Khnykin, Juraj Škoda, and Anaïs Cassiers.

Andreas has taken masterclasses with Frans Helmerson, Torleif Thedéen, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Gustav Rivinius, Sergey Malov, Troels Svane, Asier Polo, and pianist Liv Glaser, and has given guest lectures and masterclasses for the cello class at Ingesund College of Music.

He studies with Ilmari Hopkins and Liv Opdal at the University of Stavanger, and with Mikael Ericsson at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU). Andreas serves on the board of the Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival / ICMF and has previously been a jury member for Solofondet. He has premiered works by composer Dr. Timothy Miller, toured with the jazz quartet The Ipanema Ensemble, and performed at events including Norway Summit, the Altibox Norway Chess final ceremony, and the Equinor Future Energy Forum Concert.