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Mexican-born flutist Alhelí Pimienta, described as a "rising star" by Toronto NOW Magazine, has performed and taught in over 30 countries. She has delivered lectures, hosted conferences, and conducted masterclasses at various prestigious institutions, including the University of Toronto, the University of Nebraska in Omaha, the University of California, Berkeley, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, the National Library of Catalonia in Barcelona, and the American Cathedral in Paris. Alhelí began her musical training at seven and completed her first multi-concert tour in Western Europe by age 14 as the second flutist of the Mexican dance company "Fiesta Mexicana." During her formative years, she studied baroque flutes, guitar, folk flutes, and music appreciation with Jesús Mora Zamarripa, Carlos Trejo, and Martín Ortíz Gurami at La Casa de La Cultura in Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico. Her flute instructors have included Luis Alfredo González and Miguel Angel Villanueva from Mexico, Leonard Garrison and Merrie Siegel from the USA, Susan Hoeppner from Canada, Pierre Yves-Artaud from France, María Gabriela Rodríguez from Venezuela, Aysha Wills from the Netherlands, and Gergely Ittzés from Hungary. Alhelí has curated performances and festivals in North America that promote diversity in classical music. Notable events she has organized include the Toronto Latin American Flute Festival, the International Flute and Piccolo Convention of Monterrey, and the Canadian Flute Convention. As a dedicated flute teacher, Alhelí founded Toronto-based Flute Sprint International Studio, where she instructs talented flutists from beginners to professionals. Her students have received numerous awards at national and international festivals, and many are building successful careers in teaching and performance. Alhelí is also a strong advocate for new music, serving as a spokesperson and panel moderator for international conferences and non-profit organizations such as Global Toronto in Canada and the National Flute Association (NFA) in the United States. Alhelí holds a partial Instrumental Performer degree from the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey and Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Idaho. She completed an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School of Music and has undertaken four years of Doctoral Studies at the University of Toronto. She is proud to be an International Yamaha Artist and performs on an 18K handmade gold flute. Alhelí resides in Toronto with her husband, Adrian Kostic, and their two dogs, Samba and Tango. Website: www.flutesprint.com