We prepare students for the next level by providing specialized instruction on a variety of styles and standard repertoire. Our goal is to supplement the concepts which they are learning in their school orchestra and private lessons by reinforcing technical fundamentals while tackling advanced artistic concepts.
There will be opportunities to work closely with local professionals including guest conductors from college faculties, sectionals from members of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and a performance at Timucua Arts Organization’s “White House”, one of Orlando’s most intimate and unique venues. For next season, we are also planning a side-by-side concert of Spanish music where the chamber orchestra members will collaborate with dance troupe Flamenco del Sol and The Bach Festival Orchestra.
Our audition requirements, which can also be found below, were tailored to be accessible and provide an accurate representation of the students’ levels by allowing them to showcase their strengths.
Check out this new season's audition packet! Email us if you have any questions! Happy practicing!
Daniel Cortes is the founder, executive director, and conductor of Symphonic Underground (2018-Present), an organization dedicated to providing audiences with an accessible gateway to the classical world by programming music from video games and movies. He has been playing the viola for almost 25 years (B.M. Stetson University 2008 in the studio of Jesus Alfonzo, M.M. Western Michigan University 2012 as Igor Fedotov’s graduate assistant) and is trained in a variety of styles both inside and outside of the traditional classical curriculum. He served as principal violist throughout the entirety of his collegiate studies and continues to be actively involved with orchestras and chamber ensembles in the surprisingly robust Floridian arts scene.
Since beginning his freelancing career in 2004, he has performed with dozens of organizations around the nation such as Florida Orchestra, Orlando Opera, Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Opera del Sol, Alterity Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Symphony, Florida Lakes Symphony, Villages Philharmonic, Space Coast Symphony, Punta Gorda Symphony, Florida Rock Orchestra, Kalamazoo Symphony, Arcus Chamber Orchestra,Southwest Michigan Symphony, West Michigan Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, Dearborn Symphony, Traverse City Symphony, and several others.
Noteworthy engagements include (but are not limited to) appearances with Mannheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Weird Al, The Eagles, The Who, The Beach Boys, Electric Light Orchestra, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Kristin Chenoweth, Arnie Roth, Paquito d’Rivera, Johnny Mathis, Nelly, Journey’s Jonathan Cain, Video Games Live, George Benson, Little River Band, Cirque Musica, BT, Bernadette Peters, Styx, Game of Thrones Live, Pokémon Symphonic Evolution, Michael Bolton, Alan Parsons Project, Frankie Valli, Irish Tenors, Clay Aiken, Jackie Evancho, Rocktopia, and Roy Orbison’s 3D hologram.
He was privileged to study chamber music with members from Cuarteto Rios Reyna, Juilliard Quartet, Emerson Quartet, Harlem Quartet, Shanghai Quartet, Amadeus Quartet, Enzo Quartet, Pacifica Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Cavani String Quartet, Harlem Quartet, Beaux Arts Trio, and the Takacs Quartet, among others. In the summer of 2008, he was invited to play a series of chamber concerts at the William Walton Estate “La Mortella” in Italy, where he had the honor of receiving a signed participation certificate signed by Lady Walton.
It is his life’s mission to honor his mentors by sharing their knowledge with the next generation.
Rollins College Tiedtke Hall
Come play in a wonderful group environment where you get expertise instruction to get you to your next string level. Please be punctual and ...
Rollins College Tiedtke Hall