Hailed by critics as a "captivating and sensitive" flutist, Shanna Gutiérrez is an international flutist who maintains a repertoire that encompasses the full canon of the flute literature. Recently she completed her second tour of Colombia, South America presenting a program of works composed by women from around the world, which included two world premieres. She is a member Ensemble Dal Niente, who was recently invited to the 45th International New Music Festival in Darmstadt, Germany this July. She has previously been awarded a full scholarship as the solo flutist for the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. She has been featured on live radio broadcasts for WFMT Chicago, recitals and residencies in Colombia, and performances at Carnegie Hall, the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Sonic Impact: New Music Chicago, the Chicago Composers Forum. She is currently working on her first solo CD.

A strong advocate for contemporary music, Ms. Gutierrez has been involved with the commissioning and premiere performances of dozens of works. She will present the US Premiere of Rekindle by Dutch composer Michel van der Aa in the Fall of 2010. She has collaborated with notable twenty-first Century composers including Kaija Saariaho, Shulamit Ran, Claus-Stefan Mahnkopf, Kirsten Broberg, and Alba Fernanda Triana. Shanna is the founder of Sonic Sculptures, a lecture workshop presentation on contemporary flute music and techniques for flutists and composers.

Ms. Gutiérrez received her performance degrees from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University and has studied with Walfred Kujala, Amy Porter, Richard Graef, Nadine Asin and Jeff Zook. A passionate educator at all levels, she serves on faculty for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Flute Camp, Warren Township High School, and maintains a private studio in the Chicago area.