Augusto Salazar was born in La Paz, Bolivia, where he first studied music at the Conservatory of La Paz. In 1978, he received a scholarship to come to the United States to study chamber music with the Portland String Quartet at the University of Southern Maine. He continued his studies at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA with Roman Totemberg and Michael Zaretsky and at the Boston University with Stephen Ansell, principal violist of the Boston Symphony.and also studied with Scott Woolweaver of the New England Piano Quartet.

While playing with the Bangor Symphony, he had the opportunity to work on conducting with Werner Torkanozwski. Mr. Salazar has toured major cities in Latin America, Greece and Spain with professional ensembles. He was a member of the Vermont Symphony and the Dartmouth Orchestra under direction of Ephrain Guigui.

He has been involved in the creation of various community orchestras, youth ensembles and Chamber Music groups in Northern New England, including the Odeon Youth String Orchestra in Camden Maine (now under Bay Chamber Concerts) which he conducted for seven years, the Portsmouth Symphony Community Orchestra, the River Tree Arts adult ensemble in Kennebunkport and the Bow Street Youth Orchestra which he founded over 20 years ago and continues to conduct.

In addition to prívate teaching and conducting, Augusto enjoys performing and freelancing with his long standing chamber music group, The Andrea String Trio, that includes Katie Bacchus, viola and Michael Danielski on cello.

"Augusto has such passion for music and teaching that after 8 years of lessons he continues to inspire our daughter. She has developed skills that she can use not just in her music, but in life itself."

Nancy Jandro
Kennebunk, Maine

 

"My daughters have been Augusto's students for seven years.  When they began lessons, they were in 2nd and 3rd grades.   Prior to Augusto, they were struggling with music.  I wanted them to love music.  They do now and I believe it is because Augusto teaches with a true understanding of how children learn, feel about their learning, and develop skills over time.  He is the only teacher I know who brings teaching violin into the hearts of children."

Martha Eshoo
York, Maine

"Augusto played beautifully, and was a fun, friendly, professional addition to our special day"

Cathy Lavelle
Hinesburg, Vermont