Damian Montano
Bassoon
Damian Montano, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, enjoys an active musical career as both instrumentalist and composer. He joined LACO in 2005 as 2nd bassoon, and has performed with numerous other Southern California orchestras, including the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, Long Beach Opera and the Pacific Symphony.
Damian appeared as a headlining artist at the 2012 International Double Reed Society Conference, where he played the dual role of soloist and composer in the world premiere of his bassoon concerto Three Night Pieces. He can also be heard on numerous motion picture and television scores and commercials.
Damian has been funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and has been commissioned by ensembles such as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Houston Symphony, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana Wind Symphony, Albuquerque Youth Symphony, Chamber Music Palisades, Vientos Trio and Calico Winds. His Double Concerto for Flute and Harp, commissioned by the Dallas Wind Symphony, was premiered in April 2014. His works have also been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, International Double Reed Society Festival Orchestra, Philharmonia Northwest, Culver City Symphony and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.
Damian received his Bachelor of Music from Rice University and Master of Music from the University of Southern California. While in school, he was featured as soloist with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra and the University of Southern California’s Wind Symphony, subsequent to winning each ensemble’s concerto competition with a work that he composed.
Damian lives in the Hollywood Hills in a 1914 Craftsman with his dogs Trixie, Belle and Chachi. He enjoys cooking, baking and hiking in the hills.
