About

Violinist, Orchestral Conductor, Pedagogue

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Biography

Catalina has extensive experience as a professional violinist, orchestral conductor, and pedagogue. She currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Violin/Viola at San José State University, California. Catalina regularly performed with regional orchestras in Michigan, including the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Alma Symphony. Her violin-piano duo Martalina has performed concerts and lecture-recitals across Michigan in venues including Albion College. She has played in music festivals where she has held principal positions, including the Taneycomo Festival, Hot Springs Music Festival, Blackburn Music Academy, and Bay View Music Festival.

As a pedagogue, Catalina was a lead violin teacher at the Durant-Tuuri Mott Elementary School in Flint, working with the Sphinx Organization, whose mission is to empower black and Latinx communities through music. In addition, Catalina was part of the String Team Program at the Jackson Community Music School, teaching violin at Paragon Charter Academy. 

In addition to violin teaching, Catalina was the Director/Conductor of the Mason Youth Philharmonic in the Greater Lansing area for five years. Catalina was also the orchestra conductor for the New Horizons Orchestra at Michigan State University, Community Music School. In the summers, Catalina is a faculty member of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, serving as an orchestra conductor and violin faculty member, performing chamber music, opera, and orchestral works for campers across the country.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Catalina has international experience performing as a violinist in Spain, Israel, and Chile. She has played with the Colombia National Symphony Orchestra for six years, toured with the World Orchestra in Spain, and served as a guest faculty at the Conservatory of Music in Valdivia Chile. 

She holds a doctorate in violin performance from Michigan State University. Her mentors include Dr. Walter Verdehr, Dr. Er-Gene Kahng, and Francisco Iragorri. She pursued her Master in Music at University of Arkansas and her bachelor in music at Javeriana University in Bogota, Colombia. Catalina is a certified Suzuki violin teacher of Books 1 and 2. She is committed to use music as a tool for positive social impact. Catalina is a 2020 cohort member of the Global Leaders Program.