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 more than twenty prizes in international solo and chamber music competitions, including 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 and 1st Prize in the 94th Concours International Léopold Bellan (France, 2020).

As a chamber musician, she is part of the Flieben Duo, Dimma Quartet and Barcelona Sax Project and has toured with other international groups. She has appeared as a soloist with the 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 John Williams. 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.