Gonçalo Pires began his cello studies with Jorge Ribeiro at the Calouste Gulbenkian Music Conservatory in Braga, Portugal, graduating with distinction in 2020. In the same year, he moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music with Josephine Knight. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in 2024, he continued his studies with Hannah Roberts, completing his Master’s degree in 2025. Winner of the Royal Academy of Music’s 2024 Martin/Hooton Concerto Prize, Gonçalo performs regularly as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician.

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. In 2026, he gave solo and chamber music performances in London, Paris, Boston and Lisbon.

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

Gonçalo is particularly active in chamber music, with duo projects for cello with piano, violin and accordion regularly invited to perform in concerts and festivals. Recent highlights include appearances at the Bendada International Music Festival in Portugal and Music in the Museum at the London Transport Museum. He is co-founder of the award-winning Duo AccordiCello with accordionist Flávio Rodrigues; the duo recorded an album in 2025.

Gonçalo has received several first prizes in international competitions, including the Bendada International Music Competition in Portugal, the North International Music Competition in Sweden and the Soncello International Competition in Spain. At the Royal Academy of Music, he was also awarded the Clarence Myerscough Award and the Christopher Hogwood Audition Scholarship.

He has worked in masterclasses with distinguished cellists including Marc Coppey, Gary Hoffman, David Cohen, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Claudio Bohórquez and Lluís Claret, among others.

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