Juan Paternina-Paez was born in Cartagena, Colombia, and began playing violin at the age of 12. He studied at Comfenalco Music School where he took lessons with Carlos Rocha, performed with Placido Domingo, Eugene Kohn, and the Comfenalco Symphony Orchestra at the Cartagena International Music Festival in 2011.

 

Paternia-Paez received his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Northwestern State University, where he studied under the guidance of Dr. Andrej Kurti. In 2022, he earned his Masters in Music Education and studied orchestral conducting under the guidance of Dr. Douglas Bakenhus at Northwestern State University.

 

During his studies, he was an active orchestral musician across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas where he performed with the Rapides Symphony, Acadiana Symphony, Marshall Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, and many others.

 

Juan is very passionate about teaching and focuses his lessons equally between theory, fundamentals, technique and playing.  In his spare time, he enjoys working on his skills and a great cup of coffee! 

 

Mr. Paez joins the muse manta team as a violin and viola teacher.