Astrid Morales is a 27 years old Mexican pianist currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance at Arizona State University with the recognized teacher Robert Hamilton. Astrid holds Master’s degrees in Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy and a Performer’s Diploma in Piano from Southern Methodist University where she studied with Joaquín Achúcarro. In 2012, she graduated from National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, where she studied with Héctor Rojas.
Winner of the First Prize at the General Concerto Competition – Meadows School of the Arts 2014 in Dallas, TX, she performed with Meadows Symphony Orchestra under conductor Dr. Paul Phillips in Caruth Auditorium.
Astrid made her debut when she was 8 years old at Opus 94.5 Radio Station in Mexico City. When she was 11, she made her debut as soloist with Queretaro Philharmonic conducted by José Guadalupe Flores.
Since 2003, Astrid has an intensive soloist career and has appeared on several occasions with the most important Mexican orchestras and conductors such as: Mexico State Symphony Orchestra (Enrique Bátiz, Virgilio Valle and Gabriela Díaz Alatriste), Nuevo León University Symphony (Eduardo Diazmuñoz), Mexico City Philarmonic (José Areán), National Polytechnic Institute Symphony Orchestra (Alfredo Ibarra), Aguascalientes Symphony (Stephano Mazzoleni), among others.
As recitalist, Astrid has performed in the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Canada. In addition, she has performed in the most important concert halls in Mexico.
Astrid has been awarded several prizes and scholarships including the 2011 Youth Mexican Prize and Grand Prix to Exceptional Talents and Best Interpretation of Mexican Music at the Second National Piano Competition “Petrof – Symphony – Pearl River” in Mexico among others.
Astrid has always been an active and passionate performer of Mexican music. She recorded her first CD “Rimero Musical” with music of the recognized Mexican composer Ladislao Juárez. Furthermore, Morales collaborated in “El Oficio Mío” with music of the Mexican composer Armando Rosas.
As an active chamber musician, Morales has performed in different ensembles including SYZYGY, directed by the acclaimed violinist Matt Albert and has collaborated with the world renowned cellist Andrés Díaz. During 2018 and 2019, she was appointed as the Fellow Pianist at NorCal Music Festival.
Astrid Morales is part of the piano faculty at the Music Prep Program and Faculty Associate at Arizona State University. Morales has appeared in several TV shows, newspapers and radio interviews in Mexico, Italy, The Netherlands and United States.
