Lou Ortiz started his musical studies in the University of the Philippines College of music in 1979, majoring in composition. He won 2nd prize in the League of Filipino Composers Competition in 1982. His interest for the double bass started in 1982, self-taught at the early stages and then studied with the excellent violin pedagogue Prof. Sergio Esmilla.
In 1987, he then went to Vienna, Austria to continue his double bass studies with the world famous Double bass virtuoso and pedagogue, Prof. Ludwig Streicher in the Hochschule fuer Msuik und Darstellende Kunst, Wien, who later presented him as soloist in various recitals and took him as a private assistant (1991-1995). He did various recitals and solo concerts in Austria.
He worked in Spain with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia (1995-99) and the Real Filharmonica de Galicia (1999-2007), both orchestras considered to be on the top 5 orchestras of Spain. He has given masterclasses in Spain and in the Philippines. He is currently one of the tutors in the Orange Regional Conservatorium.
