Violin, Panama

Graciela Núñez started her violin studies under the influence of her father, Gonzalo Núñez. Adriano Vásquez and José Cedeño are among her first musical tutors. She joined the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama when she was 13 years old, and at present she is the Principal Chair of the Second Violin section.

Graciela holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS, 1996). She studied under Ben Sayevich, Eric Rosenblith, Tim Deighton, and Michael Kimber. She finished the Master of Music program in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University (2006), under the prestigious tutelage of the Vermeer String Quartet.

From 1992 to 1996 she was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Fellows CLASP II-USAID scholarship to work on her bachelor degree and in 2004 she was awarded the prestigious Fulbright LASPAU scholarship to get her master degree.

She has had the opportunity to participate in music festivals in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, the USA, Nicaragua, Cuba and Colombia. Graciela has performed with the University Camerata from the University of Panama, the Lawrence Chamber Players, Kansas City Metropolitan Orchestra, Fox Valley Symphony of Appleton Wisconsin.

She taught violin and chamber music at the National Institute of Music (1996-2009), was a member of the University Camerata (University of Panama 1996-2002), and has also worked enthusiastically with the National Association of Concerts during the Summer Music Camps.

Member of the American String Teachers Association, her research interest has been focused in topics such as “the importance of positive reinforcement and motivation in teaching violin students,” “prevention of injury and efficiency of movement in violin performance,” “yoga and music,” and she hopes to influence the young string players with her positivism and never ending thirst for improvement and knowledge.

At the moment, she lives in Panama City, works as a violin teacher at the National of Panama and at the Danilo Pérez Foundation, Principal chair of the 2nd violin section of the National Symphony Orchestra, works actively with singer song writers and in different music projects that include fusion of genres.

Graciela loves nature and outdoor activities and this year started CrossFit training.