Marco Corrales is recognized as one of the leading guitarists in Central America. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio de Castella under the guidance of Nuria Zúñiga, later pursuing advanced studies in guitar performance at the University of Costa Rica with maestro Jorge Luis Zamora. He then completed a Master’s degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio, studying with maestro Isaac Bustos.
Specializing in Latin American repertoire and committed to promoting the works of contemporary composers from the region, Corrales has released four albums. Two of these, Un Siglo de Guitarra Costarricense and Guitarra Viva Costa Rica, feature original works for guitar by Costa Rican composers. The other two albums are collaborative projects with composers: Leyendas Costarricenses, with solo guitar music by Costa Rican composer José Arias, and Sueños y Sones, a complete collection of works for guitar by Panamanian composer Emiliano Pardo-Tristán.
His passion for Latin American music has taken him to perform at festivals and concert venues across Costa Rica, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Colombia, El Salvador, and Brazil. He also maintains an active career in chamber music and has performed as a soloist with several orchestras in Costa Rica, including the Heredia Symphony Orchestra, the Cartago Municipal Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Costa Rica Symphony Orchestra.
Marco Corrales es reconocido como uno de los guitarristas más destacados de Centroamérica. Inició su formación musical en el Conservatorio de Castella bajo la tutela de Nuria Zúñiga. Posteriormente realizó estudios superiores en guitarra en la Universidad de Costa Rica con el maestro Jorge Luis Zamora, y más adelante completó una maestría en “University of Texas at San Antonio” con el maestro Isaac Bustos.
Especializado en la interpretación del repertorio latinoamericano y comprometido con la difusión de obras de compositores contemporáneos de la región, Corrales ha producido cuatro álbumes. Dos de ellos, Un Siglo de Guitarra Costarricense y Guitarra Viva Costa Rica, incluyen obras originales para guitarra de compositores costarricenses. Los otros dos son coproducciones con compositores: Leyendas Costarricenses, con música original para guitarra sola del compositor costarricense José Arias, y Sueños y Sones, que reúne la obra completa para guitarra del compositor panameño Emiliano Pardo-Tristán.
Su interés por dar a conocer la música latinoamericana lo ha llevado a presentarse en festivales y espacios musicales en Costa Rica, Estados Unidos, México, Argentina, Panamá, Colombia, El Salvador y Brasil. También cuenta con experiencia en música de cámara y como solista junto a diversas orquestas costarricenses, entre ellas la Orquesta Sinfónica de Heredia, la Orquesta Sinfónica Municipal de Cartago y la Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Costa Rica.
Prizes:
First Prize at the International Guitar Competition in Panama City (2018)
First Prize at the «Concurso Internacional de Interpretación de Obras Nuevas» (2022)
Second Prize at «Guitarra Sin Fronteras» in Mexico (2015)
Honorable Mention at the Southwest Guitar Competition (Texas, 2024)
Honorable Mention at the Havana International Guitar Competition (Cuba, 2016)
First Prize at the Costa Rican National Guitar Competition (advanced level) and prize for the best interpretation of the Costa Rican set piece (2013)
Second Prize at the Costa Rican National Guitar Competition (advanced level) (2012)
Second Prize at «Promesas de la Guitarra» (Costa Rica, 2011)
First Prize at the Costa Rican National Guitar Competition (intermediate level) and prize for the best interpretation of the Costa Rican set piece (2010)
Third Prize at the Costa Rican National Guitar Competition (intermediate level) (2009)
Marco Corrales Ventura 