Íris Pacheco Ferreira

I began my musical studies at the age of five at Escola de Música da Casa do Povo de Rio Vizela, where I studied piano oriented by Professor Miguel Fontes. This early contact with music played a decisive role in shaping my discipline, musical sensitivity, and curiosity in the matter. By the time I was eight years old, I had continued my musical education at Escola de Música de Viatodos, where I studied viola mentured by Professor Ângela Teles. At ten years old, I switched my studies to Conservatório Bonfim where i finally became aquaintenced with the basson, the instrument that I would end up wanting to play professionaly, by taking Professor Anabela Ferreira’s class. I have now, since 2024, been studying at Conservatório Calouste Gulbenkian de Braga, under the mastery of Professor Sandra Ochoa. Alongside my formal studies, I have actively sought out complementary musical experiences such as actively participating masterclasses and orchestral projects. Troughout my studies I have become aquaintenced with remarcable names in the basson industry such as Professors Vincenzo Menghini, Reynold Cárdenas, Virgílio Oliveira, Francisco Rubio, Pedro Travanca, Miguel Puchol, Achille Dallabona, Alfonso Fernández, Robert Glassburn, Vera Dias, and Ricardo Ramos while also taking the great opportunity that is taking a class with such personalities. My orchestral experience has been a central part of my musical development. I have worked under the direction of conductors such as David Bruche, Luís Ribeiro, David Silva, Nuno Silva, André Ribeiro, Jorge Ribeiro, Marcelo Marques, Vasco Faria, Toby Purser, Pedro Carneiro, Diogo Costa, Maxime Tortelier, Renata Oliveira, Luciano Pereira, Dinis Sousa, Tiago Oliveira, Francisco Sequeira, Luís Machado, Fernando Marinho, Kyle Knox, Geri Nolden, Constança Simas, and Nuno Areia. With these experiences I have lerned the value of discipline, adaptability, and musical responsibility within a professional orchestral context. I have also have had the opportunity to participate in not just international but also intercultural projects, including collaborations with the Afghan Youth Orchestra (AYO), the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO), Orquestra Barcina, and the Young Euro Classic Festival. In addition, I have taken part in several orchestral internships and training programs, such as the III and XI Gestos Symphony Orchestra Internships, the V Wind and Percussion Orchestra Internship of the Banda Musical de Oliveira de Azeméis, the I Internship of the Orquestra do Distrito de Braga, the XI Edition of the Estágio de Mêda, the IV Symphony Orchestra Internship of the Conservatório de Música do Porto, and the Orquestra XXI Internships in 2024 and 2025. I also took part of the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa (Youth Portuguese Orchestra) for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 season.