Duo Fortis 

Formed in late 2021, Duo Fortis is comprised of GRAMMY-nominated guitarists Isaac Bustos & Alejandro Montiel. Both founding members of the acclaimed Texas Guitar Quartet, Isaac and Alejandro joined forces to present classic and new works for guitar duo with unrivaled energy, sound, and power. Duo Fortis has performed as soloists and with orchestras around the US, Mexico, and Latin America.

Isaac Bustos 

“Virtuosic yet effortless flair” hails the San Francisco Classical Voice, and the Boston Globe writes, “In warm, round tones, the notes of Bach cascaded from the guitar, every note correct and played without hesitation.” GRAMMY™-nominated Classical guitarist, pedagogue, and educator, Dr. Isaac Bustos enjoys an extensive performing career that has taken him to the stage worldwide. Isaac has recorded for the Delos, MSR and Vgo Recordings labels. His chamber music collaborations have included performances with the Grammy award-winning ensembles Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Conspirare Choir, the Turtle Creek Chorale and legendary Mexican cellist Carlos Prieto. Bustos is a founding member of the award-winning Texas Guitar Quartet and has released two critically acclaimed discs with the group. Bustos holds a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance from the University of New Hampshire, where he was the only guitarist to ever hold a full scholarship, a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, where he worked under the guidance of renowned American guitarist Adam Holzman. Dr. Bustos serves on the faculty at the University of Texas – San Antonio Department of Music, where he is head of guitar studies and artistic director of the Southwest Guitar Symposium. 

 *Isaac Bustos is an Augustine Strings Sponsored Artist and plays on a 2020 Martin Blackwell Double-top cedar guitar*

Alejandro Montiel

Described by Soundboard Magazine as a "flawless musician, filled to the brim with polished technique," GRAMMY™-nominated guitarist, arranger, and recording artist Alejandro Montiel enjoys a performing career that has taken him throughout the United States, Mexico, China, Central & South America, and Europe. He holds graduate degrees from the Peabody Conservatory and the University of Texas at Austin. Alejandro has premiered pieces by Joseph V. Williams, Mark Cruz, John Truitt, Brian Herrington, and Samuel Zyman. He was part of the instrumental ensemble for the US premiere of Andy Pape's opera "Houdini The Great", collaborated with cellist Bion Tsang on a new score by Joseph Williams for the Alfred Hitchcock silent film "The Lodger", and was part of the 2015 world-premiere of Nico Muhly's new work for chamber choir and guitar ensemble titled “How Little You Are.” He gave the Houston premiere of Clarice Assad’s “Three Sketches” for two guitars and violin. In 2023, Alejandro performed the Peruvian premiere of Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto Madrigal” in the famous Catedral del Cusco. Besides being a regularly invited artist, adjudicator, and clinician for guitar festivals around the US, Dr. Montiel is on faculty at both Lone Star College – Montgomery and University of Texas San Antonio. Alejandro is also a sought-after chamber musician throughout Texas - notable collaborations include the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Conspirare, soprano Estelí Gómez, Line Upon Line percussion group, violinist Jennifer Choi, flutist Julee Kim-Walker, clarinetist Håkan Rosengren, and cellist Louis-Marie Fardet. Additionally, Dr. Montiel has been featured on multiple recordings, including the Texas Guitar Quartet's critically acclaimed debut album "RED" and its follow up, “ICON.” 

*Alejandro Montiel plays on a 2015 Antonius Mühler guitar