Dean Wheeler

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Rafael León has played the cello for more than 60 years, and continues to share his love of music through classes. | Rafael León ha tocado el violonchelo por más de 60 años y aún continúa compartiendo su amor por la música a través de sus clases.

 También puedes leer este artículo en español, La Música está en Todo

For more than four decades, the deep, vibrant sound of Rafael León’s cello has echoed on stages across Arkansas. But his story begins far from the American South — in a small one-bedroom apartment in Mexico City, just blocks from the Zócalo — where eight siblings, a record player and their father’s dream filled the home with music.

“As a kid, I never realized the financial struggles we had,” León said. “We were just happy.”

At age 7, he began studying music at the local conservatory alongside his younger brothers. Their father — a self-taught musician who played guitar, violin and saxophone — hoped his children would form a small family ensemble. León picked up the cello, and never let it go.

His talent led him to the Philharmonic Orchestra at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de  México (UNAM) and later to the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, where he met his wife, Susan, the principal bassoonist. In 1984, the couple moved to Arkansas after both won auditions with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. León arrived as principal cellist.

The transition wasn’t easy. “I didn’t speak English,” he says. “But music was our language. I showed my section how to play by playing it myself.”

Over time, León became much more than a musician. From his home studio, he taught generations of students — including older adults. His mission, he says, has always been to help students enjoy what they’re doing and overcome stage fright through discipline and consistency.

León encourages parents to promote music as an extracurricular activity and says that ASO has a program for young people interested in music. 

Although he officially retired in 2023, León continues to perform occasionally and give lessons. After more than 60 years with the cello, he remains as connected to music as he was on day one. “Music is in everything,” he says. “You don’t need to understand it — you just have to feel it.”