Nestor Torres

Nestor Torres uniqueness as a speaker lies in his ability to integrate extraordinary musical virtuosity and exceptional eloquence to communicate effectively by engaging, inspiring and entertaining his audiences.

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Mr. Torres began flute lessons at age 12 and went on to pursue formal studies at Mannes School of Music in New York and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, as well as private tutelage under Sam Baron and John Wummer, Andrew Loyla and David Barg. While in New York, he developed his improvisational skills working in Latin Music dance halls playing a style of Cuban dance music known as a Charanga. In this genre of music, the flutist improvises a great deal, where the focus of his playing is to make people dance. Hence, his unique flute sound, while virtuosic, is at once both very rhythmic and melodic. The same can be said of his speaking gift. Fluent in Spanish as well as English, Mr. Torres is able to capture the hearts and minds of listeners with his profound mastery of language and empathic sincerity, doing so in a most accessible and when called for, interactive manner.

Nestor Torres career spans over 20 years, throughout which he has performed with the likes of Herbie Hancock, James Moody, Tito Puente, Ricky Martin,Gloria Estefan, Chris Botti and Dave Mathews, among countless others. As a Symphonic Soloist, he has performed with the New World Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Singapore Symphony, Naples Philarmonic Orchestra with Eric Kunzel, and Peter Nero and The Philly Pops, to name just a few.

His speaking and teaching engagements include Universities of Akron, Colorado in Boulder, and Puerto Rico, as well as the Alliance for A New Humanity, Florida Association of Non Profit Organizations, and the Toda Institute For Global Peace And Policy Research.

Mr. Torres has released 14 recordings to date, earning 5 Grammy nominations. In 2001 he won a Latin Grammy for This Side of Paradise, a bittersweet victory given that the Award ceremony was scheduled for 9/11/01.

"Of course it was a great honor and privilege to win the Grammy", he reflects. "That said, the fact that I was to receive it on 9/11 gave my work a stronger sense of mission and purpose. Terrorism and violence come from ignorance, anger and hopelessness. Music and Culture inspire and empower; they soothe the human heart and enlighten the spirit. I have made it my prime point to work and live as an artist and a human being that does just that". From that experience, together with a commission to compose and perform for the Dalai Lama, Mr. Torres produced Dances, Prayers & Meditations For Peace in 2006.

Nestor Torres has traveled all over the world including Dubai, Jordan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Colombia, and Costa Rica where, in addition to having performed for many, diverse audiences, has engaged in dialogues and presentations with luminaries such as HRH Prince El Hassan, Deepak Chopra and Nobel Peace Laurate President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica.

Mr. Torres is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations, including two honorary doctorates, for his commitment to youth education and cultural exchange. Most recently, he served as Visiting Artist in Residence and founder and Director of the Danzon-Charanga Ensemble at Florida International University.