Joanna Alpizar, Concertmaster

Violinist Joanna Alpízar proudly serves as the concertmaster of the Vermont Philharmonic. Before her move to Vermont in 2020, Joanna served as both the concertmaster of the Southern California Philharmonic, and the principal 2nd violinist of the Dana Point Symphony. She also appeared as substitute violinist for both the Golden State Pops Orchestra and the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra in Los Angeles, and as a 1st violinist in the Heights Chamber Orchestra in Cleveland. She has performed as the soloist with both the Bellflower Symphony and the Cole Conservatory Collegium Musicum.

In addition to her orchestral engagements, she was also a violinista in the two-time Grammy award-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, Mariachi Tesoro de Rebecca Gonzales, and Mariachi Rubor in Phoenix, AZ. Her musical experiences have taken her to Australia, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, Alaska, Kentucky, New Mexico, and New York.

Passionate about music education, Joanna has taught string instruments both privately and in public schools for 20 years. She is the author and illustrator of KinderViolin, a bilingual method book including Latin-American nursery rhymes for violinists three to five years old. She began her own musical studies at age seven on a humble violin purchased from AAA Pawn Shop in Long Beach, CA. She went on to receive a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance and Music Education from the Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. She is the proud mamí of Sonia and Carlitos.