CATALINA BARRAZA

Catalina Barraza 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. An active pedagogue and performer in the Bay Area, Catalina regularly coaches the San Jose Youth Symphony Orchestra, San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra and performs with Symphony San Jose and Jose Chamber Orchestra. Catalina regularly performed with regional orchestras in Michigan, including the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Alma Symphony. 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.

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. She has been a guest conductor for Cambrian Symphony.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Catalina has international experience performing and teaching in Spain, Israel, Mexico, and Chile. She has played with the Colombia National Symphony Orchestra for six years, toured with the World Orchestra in Spain, and served in a guest faculty residency at the Conservatory of Music in Valdivia Chile.
She holds a doctorate in violin performance from Michigan State University. She pursued her Master in Music at University of Arkansas and her bachelor in music at Javeriana University in Bogota, Colombia. She is committed to use music as a tool for positive social impact. Catalina is a 2020 cohort member of the Global Leaders Program.