An alumnus from the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Denver, Rodolfo Betancourt has enjoyed a successful career as performer, recording artist, writer, educator and producer. In 1994 Rodolfo won Second Prize in the Antonio Lauro Guitar Competition in Venezuela. Since then he has participated in prestigious events, among them the Ambassador's Series in Washington D.C., the Festival Internacional de Agosto in Caracas and the IV Encuentro Guitarrístico Internacional in Panama. Among his achievements are First Prize in the Lamont Concerto Competition and the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Performance from the University of Denver. In 1999 Rodolfo was awarded a lifetime membership to the American Honor Music Society. Highlights of previous seasons include his engagements with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for performances and premiere recording on the Naxos label of Michael Daugherty's Philadelphia Stories, under the baton of Music Director Laureate Marin Alsop. Other engagements with the CSO included the CSO Opening Gala, and the popular Too Hot to Handel—being this his third consecutive year as rhythm section guitarist. Rodolfo has participated in other CSO programs, including the Summer Chamber Series and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival in performances conducted by Robert Bernhard. In the area of chamber music, Rodolfo is a founding member of the Experimental Playground New Music Ensemble in Colorado for which he has composed and performed.
Rodolfo has collaborated in several recordings with artists like songwriter Carlos Jaeger (Claroscuro - 1995) in Venezuela and jazz German composer Tim Sund in New York (...In the Midst of Change - 1997). His first solo CD, Classic Guitarist, was released independently in 1999. Rodolfo's writings have been published in newspapers in Venezuela, and in specialized magazines like Guitar Review in New York and 6Cuerdas6 in Mexico. His ground-breaking article A Close Encounter With Leo Brouwer has been translated to several languages.
Along with his active performing career, Rodolfo has worked as Artistic Associate at the Colorado Symphony Orchestra—institution that has sponsored his artist visa to the United States—where he produced the cultural Convergence Series along with more than 120 performances this season.