Gonçalo Pires Cellist
        

Gonçalo Pires, born in 2002 in Braga, Portugal, began his cello studies at the age of six with Jorge Ribeiro at the Calouste Gulbenkian Music Conservatory in Braga, where he graduated with distinction in 2020, receiving the Conservatory Award. In the same year, he moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music with Josephine Knight, Alfredo Piatti Professor of Cello. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in 2024, he pursued his Master’s degree with Hannah Roberts, Jacqueline du Pré Professor of Cello, graduating in 2025. Winner of the Royal Academy of Music’s 2024 Martin/Hooton Concerto Prize, Gonçalo now performs regularly as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician.

Gonçalo’s recent solo appearances include Gulda’s Cello Concerto with the Willow Orchestra, Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D major with the Braga Philharmonic Orchestra, and Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the BIMF Orchestra and Harrow Symphony Orchestra. More recently, his performances have taken him to venues across the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, the United States and Finland.

His orchestral work includes collaborations with English Touring Opera, Orquestra XXI, London Film Orchestra, London Contemporary Soloists, and the Braga Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gonçalo is also particularly active in chamber music. In 2026, he was invited to the Bendada International Music Festival in Portugal, appearing in a series of chamber music concerts. His award-winning chamber music collaborations include Duo AccordiCello, which he co-founded with accordionist Flávio Rodrigues and with whom he has recorded an album, as well as his duo with pianist Eri Yamamoto.

Gonçalo’s international distinctions include First Prizes at the Bendada International Music Competition, Paços Brandão International Competition, Fundão International Competition and International Capela Competition in Portugal, North International Music Competition in Sweden, and Soncello International Competition in Spain, among others. During his years at the Royal Academy of Music, he was also awarded the Clarence Myerscough Award and the Christopher Hogwood Audition Scholarship.

Throughout his musical development, he has worked in masterclasses with some of today’s distinguished cellists, including Marc Coppey, Gary Hoffman, David Cohen, Amit Peled, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Claudio Bohórquez, Christophe Coin, Lluís Claret, Adrien Brendel, Ludwig Quandt and Martti Rousi.