José Miguel Cueto, violinist, was born in Puerto Rico, where he received his early musical training.  After graduating in 1974 from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico with a diploma in violin performance, he was awarded scholarships from the Institute of Culture of Puerto Rico and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.  He completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Peabody under the tutelage of laureate violinist Berl Senofsky.  During his studies at Peabody he served as concertmaster of the conservatory orchestra and was chosen to perform Vivaldi's Triple Violin Concerto with his teacher, violinist Ruggiero Ricci, in the "Masters of Today and Tomorrow" concert series.  Other distinctions include several prizes, among them the Premio Colegio San Ignacio and awards: Interlochen Chamber Music, Melissa Tiller Memorial, and Peabody Alumni Association.

In addition to his solo performances in the United States and abroad, Mr. Cueto is in great demand as chamber musician, having performed with such ensembles as the Kennedy Center Chamber Players, the Washington Chamber Music Society, the Casals Festival Players, and the Tidewater Chamber Players.  At home with both traditional and contemporary repertoire, he has premiered several contemporary chamber music compositions by composers of the Americas.  As soloist, José Cueto has played under the baton of conductors Fiora Contino, Leon Fleisher, Odon Alonso, Edward Polochick, Frederick Prausnitz, Peter Bay, and most recently Kenneth Kiesler and the Illinois Chamber Orchestra.

Mr. Cueto has been admired by both the public and the critics for his "solid technique, as well as his rich and beautiful tone" (El Mundo, San Juan).  In March of 1993, STRAD magazine recognized Cue­to's Carnegie Hall performance at the Weill Recital Hall as "grounded, confident, and superb in all particulars."  During recent seasons he has appeared at the La Gesse Festival in France and the Autunno Musicale Veronese in Italy.  He has toured in both Argentina and the eastern part of the United States.  Mr. Cueto is concertmaster of the Baltimore Opera Orchestra and Concert Artists of Baltimore.

A recording artist, José Cueto has, under the auspices of the government of Portugal, recorded music of Portuguese composers.  He has also recorded baroque music for Crystal records as well as "Music of the Americas" with TRIO AMERICAS.