Yunior Terry Cabrera is Clinical Assistant Professor of Music. He is a graduate of the National School of Art (ENA) in Havana, Cuba with a double major in violin and bass. He holds a B.A. from CalArts, and an M.A. from Rutgers University.
Cabrera's principal teachers in the United States have been Charlie Haden, Derek Oles, Peter Rofe (Los Angeles Philharmonic), Putter Smith, Alphonso Johnson and Kenny Davis. While in Cuba, he performed and toured with the Havana Symphony as a violinist. After completing a year of study and ceremonies, he was initiated into the Cabildo Sabalu of Matanzas, Cuba. As an Arara practitioner, he is a cultural bearer of African rhythms, chants, and ceremonies that originated in the African kingdom of Dahomey. He continues to research these traditions along with other African diaspora-based musical and cultural traditions. Since moving to NYC, he has deepened his understanding of Jazz traditions through performing with Steve Coleman, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dafnis Prieto, Eddie Palmieri, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Michele Rosewoman, Andy Narell, Ravi Coltrane, and Yosvany Terry. He was part of the Latin Jazz All Stars project with Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Hilton Ruiz, Steve Turre, and Mario Rivera.
Prior to joining NYU, Cabrera taught master classes and workshops at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, India; Bates College; Monash University, Australia; Harlem School of the Arts; Berklee College of Music; and Banff Music Center, Canada. He was also an adjunct professor of music at The New School for Social Research, and a recipient of Meet the Composer Van Lier Fellowship.