Originally from Simi Valley, California, Miles Mateus is a freelance bassoonist and educator now living in Los Angeles. Miles has a wide range of musical expertise, having a background in orchestral, chamber, contemporary, early music, jazz, and the marching arts. He has performed with orchestras around the country such as the New World Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Symphony. He has performed in venues such as Koerner Hall, Royce Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Lucas Oil Stadium. Miles also marched euphonium with the 2017 Oregon Crusaders. Being the first in family to take up any kind of music and also as a first-generation college graduate Miles has had to navigate this strange and elusive life path, but owes much of his success to the support of his family whose hard work and sacrifices has allowed him to come as far as he has. Miles recently graduated from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto where he earned his Artist Diploma and received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He was a Contrabassoon Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Miles is also an enjoyer and advocate of the natural world having started an associate’s degree in Environmental Science during the 2020 pandemic and frequently visits the Sierra Nevada for camping and backpacking. He hopes to one day be able to integrate his knowledge and admiration of nature into his musical career. Miles’ bassoon teachers include Glenn Einschlag, Fraser Jackson, Michael Sweeney, John Stienmetz, and Eric Johnson-Tamai.