Ismael Guerrero Bombut of South LA on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ismael Guerrero Bombut. Check out our conversation below.

Ismael , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
“What can I create today?” — that’s the motto that guides my days. The truth is, as a professional musician, content creator, and fashion entrepreneur, my days never look the same — and that’s exactly what I love about my life. Of course, I follow certain routines to stay focused on my goals, because discipline is hard to maintain when there’s no fixed schedule and no one telling you what to do but yourself. Still, the variety keeps me alive. One day I’m refining my musical craft, the next I’m searching through fabrics and trims in downtown LA for a custom piece a client ordered the night before. Each day looks different, yet they’re all connected by creativity and by my constant drive to discover more about myself, my identity, and my purpose in the world.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Ismael Guerrero Bombut. I’m a professional cellist, content creator, and fashion entrepreneur. I was the first-ever cellist to win the audition for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Resident Fellowship, which gave me the opportunity to perform with this incredible orchestra for three years. Now, I’m channeling that experience and discipline into my own creative projects. I perform across the U.S. and abroad; sometimes as a soloist, other times in chamber groups or orchestras. I’ve recorded for films and TV shows, played at mainstream festivals like Coachella, and most recently have been performing in Las Vegas with Kelly Clarkson. I also teach privately and at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

As a content creator, I focus on bringing awareness to this beautiful instrument, the cello. Although many people recognize its voice-like sound, it doesn’t have the same mainstream popularity as instruments like the guitar, piano, or drums. I want to change that. I love introducing the cello into unexpected genres such as pop, soul, jazz, rock, salsa, bachata, while staying rooted in the classical training that shaped me over the past 15 years. Every day is another lesson toward refining my craft.

My other creative outlet is fashion. Growing up in Cuba, I wore a uniform to school every day. When I moved to the U.S. at 17, I realized I could express myself through clothing, and that changed everything. In September 2024, I launched my clothing brand, ismacello, a project that had quietly been in development for a year and a half. Since then, I’ve had the honor of creating one-of-one designs for artists who’ve inspired me, including Gustavo Dudamel, Jon Batiste, and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso. So far, ismacello has operated mainly through custom pieces, and I’ve fallen in love with the process of tailoring each design to reflect the personality and energy of the artist who wears it. Devoted to creating from Artists to the World™, ismacello is a platform and safe space for individuality and artistic expression.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to become a world-renowned soloist. In fact, that was the only version of “success” I could imagine. Over time, I realized that dream was more about external validation and the idea of being seen as someone who “made it”, than about what I truly wanted for myself. While I still love performing as a soloist, I couldn’t imagine doing only that. I love chamber music, orchestras, creative collaborations, and exploring other outlets like photography, content creation, and fashion design. My goal now is to discover all my passions and find the points where they intersect so I can live a creative life that feels full and authentic. So far, it’s working, and I’m excited to see how the journey continues to evolve.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I wouldn’t call it “failing hard,” because failure is such a subjective concept. However, there was definitely a particular time when things didn’t go the way I expected. During my three-year fellowship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, I was taking several orchestral auditions — all for top-tier orchestras. That was part of the program’s mission: to prepare you for those jobs. But as I went through the process, I learned what those auditions required, and, more importantly, what I actually wanted out of my career. Even though I loved performing with orchestras at such a high level, I realized I didn’t want to devote my entire life to it. I wanted to keep my career varied and creatively open, so that I could pour my energy into projects that felt personally fulfilling, not just professionally stable. That shift in perspective helped me see that success isn’t about titles or permanence, but rather alignment and joy.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say yes, the public version of me is absolutely real. I’m the same goofy, curious, passionate person on stage or online as I am at home — except maybe a bit quieter when we first meet. People sometimes say I come off as serious or intimidating at first, but that’s mostly just my introverted side showing. Once we start talking, you’ll realize I’m just as open and warm as my art is.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. In fact, I already do. When I create — whether it’s music, content, or fashion — I pour my heart into it. Not every post, video, or piece gets applause, and that’s okay. I do it because I love it. Validation feels nice, but it’s fleeting. What matters is believing in what you do, doing it out of love, and trusting that it will resonate with the people it’s meant to reach.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ismacello.com
• Instagram: @ismacello
• Twitter: @ismacello
• Youtube: @ismacello
• Other: TikTok: @ismacello
  Substack: @ismacello

Image Credits
Girl with hat holding shoe: Ismael Guerrero
Playing Cello outdoors in a suit and white sneakers: Yu Hang Photography
Photo with guitarist: David Lee
Party Photos + Photo holding shoes outside: 12/34 LAB

-the photos I didnt mention are unknown