Falling in Love with the Double Bass: My Story from Colombia with Maestro Ilko Rusev

I still remember the first time I saw a double bass up close. The sound it made was unlike anything I’d ever heard. Deep, rich, and powerful. Something about it felt alive, like it was breathing with every note. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would be the start of a life changing journey.

For those who don’t know, the double bass is the biggest instrument in the string family. You’ll find it in orchestras, jazz bands, and even some folk music. It doesn’t usually get the spotlight, but without it, everything else feels like it’s missing its heartbeat. That’s what the bass does, it holds everything together.

Growing up in Colombia, I use to see my dad bringing his Tiple (A Colombian instrument) every where we would go to family or friends gatherings and see how the music he played would bring everyone together and bring joy. Music was always present in my life, my dad playing his instrument, or him and my mom playing the greatest classical compositions from well known names like Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Mozart, etc.

I never imagined I’d one day be earning a degree in music, let alone with the double bass. But life has a funny way of guiding you when you follow your passion. I decided to chase that feeling I had the first time I heard the bass vibrate through the room. And it led me to one of the most meaningful experiences of my life: studying under Maestro Ilko Rusev.

Maestro Rusev is not just a phenomenal double bassist; he’s a teacher who gives everything to his students.  Under his guidance, I didn’t just learn how to play, I learned how to express myself through music. He challenged me constantly, but always with patience and purpose. Some lessons were tough (especially when I thought I had a piece “perfect”), but I grew from every critique and every class.

There were so many late nights practicing, sometimes questioning if I was good enough, sometimes just exhausted, but I never gave up. That’s what the double bass teaches you: persistence, humility, and the power of presence. It’s not a flashy instrument, but it’s honest. It rewards dedication.

When I finally performed my graduation recital, I felt everything come full circle. The nerves, the excitement, the pride, I was overwhelmed. That stage wasn’t just a place to perform; it was where I proved to myself that I had grown into a real musician.

Earning my Bachelor’s degree wasn’t just a personal achievement. It was a tribute to every hour I spent practicing, every piece I struggled through, and every word of wisdom Maestro Rusev shared with me. It was proof that music had become my life.