Dakota Cotugno
Adjunct Faculty
Newman Performing Arts Center, 2344 East Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80210
Professional Biography
Dakota Cotugno began studying the cello at age 12 and has loved the instrument ever since. A Colorado native, he frequently attended Colorado Symphony concerts—a tradition that came full circle when he joined the Colorado Symphony as a tenured member in the 2023–2024 season.
He earned his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder, studying with David Requiro, and later completed dual Master’s degrees in Cello Performance and Chamber Music, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Michigan under the mentorship of Richard Aaron. During his studies, he focused on transcription and arranging other musical works such orchestral excerpts as chamber works for cello, and various pieces for cello ensemble. Many of these editions are slated for publication in 2025-26.
Dr. Cotugno was awarded the silver medal in the 2019 Irving M. Klein International String Competition, where he also garnered the Pablo Casals Prize for Best Performance of Bach. He has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, and has served as principal cellist and orchestral fellow with the Aspen Festival Orchestra.
A dedicated educator, he has taught dozens cellists ranging in age from 7 to 76. His students have been principal cellists in the SVVSD District Honors Orchestra and have participated in the Colorado All-State and Western States Orchestras. Many of his private students have gone on to earn scholarships at institutions around the country. Dr. Cotugno will join the Lamont School of Music as an Interim Professor of Cello in 2025.
He earned his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder, studying with David Requiro, and later completed dual Master’s degrees in Cello Performance and Chamber Music, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Michigan under the mentorship of Richard Aaron. During his studies, he focused on transcription and arranging other musical works such orchestral excerpts as chamber works for cello, and various pieces for cello ensemble. Many of these editions are slated for publication in 2025-26.
Dr. Cotugno was awarded the silver medal in the 2019 Irving M. Klein International String Competition, where he also garnered the Pablo Casals Prize for Best Performance of Bach. He has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, and has served as principal cellist and orchestral fellow with the Aspen Festival Orchestra.
A dedicated educator, he has taught dozens cellists ranging in age from 7 to 76. His students have been principal cellists in the SVVSD District Honors Orchestra and have participated in the Colorado All-State and Western States Orchestras. Many of his private students have gone on to earn scholarships at institutions around the country. Dr. Cotugno will join the Lamont School of Music as an Interim Professor of Cello in 2025.
