String Project Instructor, Double Bass
Gonzalo Kochi Kikuchi has a Bachelor of Music from Ball State University, where he graduated cum laude. During his stay in the United States, Gonzalo participated in different festivals such as the Eastern Music Festival and the National Audition Intensive. As an orchestral musician, Gonzalo has played as the principal bassist of the Ball State Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival Student Orchestra, the New Music Ensemble Orchestra, the Lynn Philharmonia and the Symphony Orchestra of the National Conservatory of Music in Lima, Peru. In addition, Gonzalo has played in various orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru, the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Peru, and the Romanza Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his life, Gonzalo has obtained different awards and recognitions. In 2014, he earned second place in the Raymi Bass Competition, held in Lima, Peru. In 2018, he earned an honorable mention in the soloist competition at Ball State University. In 2019, Gonzalo was awarded the Hilary Hahn Award by Ball State for his excellence as a performer. Throughout the years, Gonzalo has studied under the guidance of Joel Braun, Ju-Fang Liu, Marcos Machado and Timothy Cobb. Gonzalo is currently pursuing his DMA studies at the University of Texas at Austin, studying under the guidance of Prof. Joel Braun.