About Toni

Toni Cortez-Aguilar, a seasoned classical flutist in Southern California, embarked on her musical journey in San Diego Unified schools. As a young flutist, performance opportunities at San Diego's very own Spreckles Theater, Copley Symphony Hall, and the original Jack Murphy Stadium, were pivotal in Toni’s desire to perform. This led to college music scholarships and performances throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Science with an emphasis in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University, Toni is not only a skilled musician but also a dedicated performer of marginalized and lesser known composers. Her performances reflect her commitment to exploring intersectional identities through music. After a hiatus from the music scene, Toni is busy working on rekindling her performance, recording and teaching career.

A co-founder of Connessa Collective (www.connessacollective.org), a 501c(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting world music by living composers, she has achieved recognition as a finalist in the Chamber Music category at The American Prize (2021), as a selected performer at the 2023 National Flute Association convention, and a finalist at the London Classical Music Competition (2024). Additionally, Toni is co-founder of the San Diego Flute Retreat (www.sandiegofluteretreat.com), a summer vacation flute retreat designed for adult amateur flutists.

She met her partner in the high school marching band and the two have been making music ever since. They currently live in Oceanside, CA with their three children and adorable rescue pup.