HCD Traditional Flute Faculty; Jazz Studies
HCD Music
Hartt Community Divisiongcortes@hartford.edu F 19-20
Flutist Gonzalo Cortés enjoys a diverse career as an orchestral musician, soloist, educator, and artistic director. A native of Chile, he was formerly Principal Flute of the Orquesta Clásica de Santiago, a fulltime professional orchestra. He has performed and toured extensively throughout South America and the United States, with engagements including the Orquesta Sinfónica de Chile, Orquesta Clásica de Santiago, Orquesta de Cámara de Chile, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Southeast Texas Symphony, UConn Opera Orchestra, and other ensembles. In 1996, as a member of the first National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Chile, he was part of an international performance alongside the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra at the prestigious Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas, Venezuela.
Cortés has enjoyed an active career as a concerto soloist, performing works by J. S. Bach, Mozart, Reinecke, Vivaldi, Devienne, and Quantz. With the Orquesta Clásica de Santiago, he performed Bach’s Suite in B minor, Mozart’s Flute Concerto in D major, Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D major, Vivaldi’s Il Gardellino, and Vivaldi’s Piccolo Concerto, including a tour of Chile from north to south. While living in the United States, he was invited to return to Chile as a soloist with the same orchestra to perform Devienne’s Flute Concerto in E minor. As a soloist with the Orquesta de Cámara de Chile, he toured Colombia performing Quantz’s Flute Concerto in G major, including four concerts in Medellín, a performance broadcast on Colombian national television, and a concert at the Chilean Embassy in Bogotá.
In the United States, Cortés has performed the U.S. premiere of Danzas Peregrinas by Chilean composer Horacio Salinas, in collaboration with Alturas Duo and the Southeast Texas Symphony, followed by a performance with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall with the Connecticut Virtuosi Orchestra and at distinguished venues and festivals including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, International Festival of Arts and Ideas, Orford Arts Centre Academy of Music in Canada, Primer Festival Internacional de Flauta in Rio de Janeiro, Semanas Musicales de Frutillar in Chile, and the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice.
As an educator, Cortés is Adjunct Professor of Flute at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and serves on the flute faculty of The Hartt School Community Division. He also teaches and coaches chamber music at Trinity College and Miss Porter’s School. His teaching encompasses private instruction, chamber music, flute ensemble, audition preparation, and intensive summer programming. He is passionate about developing young musicians and preparing students for auditions, performance, and further musical study.
Cortés earned an Artist Diploma from Duquesne University, where he studied with Robert Langevin, Principal Flute of the New York Philharmonic. He previously studied with Alberto Harms at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
A strong advocate for world music and the diverse traditions of the flute, Cortés has recorded with the internationally acclaimed Chilean ensemble Inti-Illimani and with the Choral Arts Society of Washington for the Naxos label. His 2006 recording, Valle, features his original compositions and performances. His musical interests include Andean music, Latin jazz, flamenco, improvisation, and flutes from around the world.
Cortés is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Hartford Flute Ensemble and the founder and director of Atacama Ensemble. Through his artistic leadership, he develops performance and educational opportunities that bring together classical flute repertoire, chamber music, world music, and the rich musical traditions of Latin America.
My teaching philosophy is centered on helping each student discover and achieve their individual goals. Whether a student is preparing for a Regional or All-State audition, pursuing admission to a college music program, or simply learning to enjoy playing the flute, their goals are always my priority.
I begin by getting to know each student—their current level, strengths, challenges, interests, and aspirations—and, together with the student and parents when appropriate, develop a focused and realistic plan of study. My goal is to build strong fundamentals while developing musicality, confidence, independence, and a genuine appreciation for music.
I have taught in the Greater Hartford area for more than 20 years, and I am particularly proud of my students’ consistent success in Regional and All-State auditions and in college music-school admissions. My students have been accepted into programs at institutions including the University of Connecticut, The Hartt School, and Ithaca College, among others. For me, these accomplishments reflect not only successful preparation, but also the growth, dedication, and confidence that students develop throughout their studies.