CGE 2023-24 Mentee
Maria Torres-Melgares
Maria Torres-Melgares is a Spanish saxophonist deeply rooted in her Hispanic heritage,
thriving in musical endeavors that connect cultures and nationalities. She’s currently based
in the US, in Iowa City. Maria received several international prizes, including the prize AIE
from ACIMC Competition 2023, 1st Prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artists Competition
2022, semifinalist at the Naumburg Saxophone Competition 2022, 1st Prize in the VIII
Concurso Internacional de Saxofone “Vitor Santos” (Portugal, 2021), 1st Prize in the Elise
Hall Competition for Emerging Saxophonists 2021.
As a chamber musician, she is part of the Flieben Duo and Dimma Quartet. She has
appeared as a soloist with the Symphonic Band of the Police of Public Security of Portugal,
New World Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Iowa City Community
String Orchestra, and has collaborated with the European Union Young Woodwind
Orchestra. In addition to performing, she actively contributes to the music business world
through her internship at the artist management agency Sheldon Artists, assisting artists like
Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Gidon Kremer. She has taught
for the online educational platform International Saxophone Academy and she currently
serves as the saxophone teaching assistant instructor at the University of Iowa.
Her academic and performance efforts were recognised by receiving nine scholarships from
international foundations and institutions to pursue all her studies, such as the Ferrer-Salat
Foundation, La Pedrera-Milà, Agustí Pedro i Pons, among others. She is a graduate of the
University of Michigan with a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance and
certificates in Arts Entrepreneurship and Leadership; and in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Previously, she completed her undergraduate in saxophone performance at the
Conservatory of Liceu, in Barcelona, and she is currently a candidate for the Doctor in
Musical Arts in saxophone performance at the University of Iowa.
thriving in musical endeavors that connect cultures and nationalities. She’s currently based
in the US, in Iowa City. Maria received several international prizes, including the prize AIE
from ACIMC Competition 2023, 1st Prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artists Competition
2022, semifinalist at the Naumburg Saxophone Competition 2022, 1st Prize in the VIII
Concurso Internacional de Saxofone “Vitor Santos” (Portugal, 2021), 1st Prize in the Elise
Hall Competition for Emerging Saxophonists 2021.
As a chamber musician, she is part of the Flieben Duo and Dimma Quartet. She has
appeared as a soloist with the Symphonic Band of the Police of Public Security of Portugal,
New World Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Iowa City Community
String Orchestra, and has collaborated with the European Union Young Woodwind
Orchestra. In addition to performing, she actively contributes to the music business world
through her internship at the artist management agency Sheldon Artists, assisting artists like
Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Gidon Kremer. She has taught
for the online educational platform International Saxophone Academy and she currently
serves as the saxophone teaching assistant instructor at the University of Iowa.
Her academic and performance efforts were recognised by receiving nine scholarships from
international foundations and institutions to pursue all her studies, such as the Ferrer-Salat
Foundation, La Pedrera-Milà, Agustí Pedro i Pons, among others. She is a graduate of the
University of Michigan with a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance and
certificates in Arts Entrepreneurship and Leadership; and in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Previously, she completed her undergraduate in saxophone performance at the
Conservatory of Liceu, in Barcelona, and she is currently a candidate for the Doctor in
Musical Arts in saxophone performance at the University of Iowa.