Adam Torres

Biography

Adam Torres, conductor and pianist, has served on the CSU faculty since 2011 and currently holds the rank of Senior Instructor as an online-curriculum specialist with the CSU School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. For Professor Torres, music offers more than entertainment: it provides insights to the greatest aspects of humanity. Torres’ belief in the transformative power of music emanates in everything he does, on the podium, behind a piano, in his private studio, and in lecture halls. His passion and musical expression help him maintain an active profile across the United States and beyond, and his work is heard by tens of thousands of patrons annually.

Mr. Torres' work with Colorado State University encompasses a wide array of teaching and artistic contributions: courses he has taught through the years include MU 100 (Music Appreciation), MU 117 (Music Theory I), MU 254 (Beginning Conducting), MU 302 (University Orchestra), MU 332 (History of Jazz), MU 333 (History of Rock and Roll), MU 402 (University Sinfonia/Opera Orchestra), MU 412 (Music Theory Proficiency), MU 518 (Analytic Techniques II), MU 534 (Music of the Romantic Era), MU 630 (Methods of Music Research), and IU 193 (Music, Film, & Society, Fall 2012 Freshman Seminar).

In addition to his course load, Professor Torres serves as Program Director for the Summer Residency Master of Music (Conducting Emphasis) program for Music Educators and as Instructor of Record and liason for MU 590D, Continuing Education credits for the annual Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) Conference for working music educators. In 2013, Prof. Torres served as the Acting Director for the CSU Athletic Band in its NCAA Tournament Appearance in Lexington, Kentucky. He served as Producer (2016-2018) for CSU Music's annual Holiday Spectacular concerts and before beginning his role as Director for the Summer MM (Conducting) program, he served as Coordinator, Lecturer, and Chorusmaster. Torres has also collaborated with CSU Theatre, serving as an instructor for the Kids Do It All summer program and as Pianist/Assistant Music Director for the 2019 production of Cabaret.

When not working with students at CSU, Adam maintains a busy schedule throughout Colorado, the United States, and beyond, as a performing artist and educator. Recently, Adam traveled to Paris, France, and Cologne, Germany, to apprentice with the Orchestre National de France and WDR Sinfonieorchestre, and made his mainstage conducting debut with the Cheyenne Symphony. Before COVID-19's impact on the world, Torres was scheduled to serve as Cover Conductor for the St. Louis Symphony (March 2020) and as Assistant Conductor for the Cabrillo Festival for Contemporary Music (July/August 2020) in Santa Cruz, CA. Beginning in the 2022-2023 Season, Torres will begin new appointments as Music Director for the Stratus Chamber Orchestra and as Artistic Director for the Colorado Springs Chorale, with whom he recently traveled to Paris and Normandy, France for concerts in June 2022.

As a Denver-based artist, Torres served as Principal Conductor for Loveland Opera from 2016-2021, and other engagements include work with Colorado Symphony, Opera Fort Collins, Fort Collins Symphony, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Pops Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Angelo Civic Theatre, Bas Bleu Theatre, Agnes Scott College Orchestra, and the Alpharetta Symphony.

Prof. Torres also demonstrates his commitment to music education through his work with young musicians. He was the Assistant Conductor for the Denver Young Artists orchestra (2014-2019), and has worked as a conductor/clinician with St. Vrain Valley School District, the Continental League Honor Orchestra, El Sistema Colorado, San Angelo Independent School District, Poudre Valley School District (Adjudicator), and Colorado Springs Conservatory. Torres has also helped to produce the annual Creations Concert presented by the DaVinci Center for Musical Arts, featuring professional orchestrations and performances of student compositions.

As a pianist/organist, Torres offers weekly performances as Organist/Music Director for St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Centennial, CO. In 2019, Torres was a featured guest artist with the Fort Collins Health and Wellness Orchestra performing Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin), and is regular engaged as a collaborative artist, most recently appearing alongside Dr. Joshua Diaz, tenor, as a featured guest artist for the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Chamber Music Recital Series.