Carlos Bastidas is a composer and master performer of the South American bamboo flutes. His unique playing style has evolved from being classically trained on the bassoon. Carlos’ music is best described as an innovative blend of Andean, Afro-Cuban and Jazz music.

Carlos completed a Masters of Music from the University of Ottawa and also earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. He is now a faculty member at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, in the World Music Department.  

Carlos has performed with classical music ensembles as well as several world music ensembles in the United States, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Cuba. In Canada, he has performed at the Harbourfront Centre, Canadian National Exhibition, Ontario Place, Word on the Street Festival, Celebrate Toronto Street Festival at Dundas Square, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, The Living Arts Center in Mississauga for the Latin American Achiement Awards, the Museum of the Civilization in Ottawa and other venues.

 He relocated to Toronto in 2001, where he now works as a musician, composer, bandleader and music educator.