Maria Cortes was born in Madrid, Spain, June 25, 1949. As a child she studied guitar under master Aureo Herrera. She entered the Royal Conservatory of Madrid advancing to the fourth level on the strength of her audition. There she earned diplomas in guitar and harmony.

As a teenager she won a national television competition for young artists playing Rodrigo's Concierto Aranjuez with the tv studio orchestra. She took her 600 peseta prize money to the shop of Paulino Benabe, a master guitar builder, and bought the guitar you see pictured in her portrait. Her future husband, Bill Bogel, an expatriot Texan and flamenco enthusiast, worked in the shop.

Maria toured Europe as a concert soloist for years, then took up a faculty position at the Royal Conservatory advancing to full professor. There she was a colleague of the Andres Segovia.

She and her husband Bill traveled often to the US and decided to move to Austin, Texas. They settled in a house in the Hyde Park neighborhood where Maria taught private lessons. She also taught at Austin Community College and at University of Texas informal classes.

Maria returned to Madrid to resume her career at the conservatory retiring a few years ago. In early 2024 she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. She died Saturday night June 1, 2024.

Maria through her wit, humor, virtuoso guitar technique, and masterful artistry touched many lives here in Austin as well as in her native Spain. She was a generous and patient teacher willing to teach beginners as well as advanced players. She was a light to this world and will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband.