Carmen Johnson-Pájaro

Violinist Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro is a community-based artist living in New York City. Raised in a family of music lovers, Carmen began her musical studies with jam sessions in the living room and eventually found her way to the world of historical performance. She’s had the opportunity to work with renowned figures such as Masaaki Suzuki, William Christie, Reggie Mobley, Raphaël Pichon, Jonathan Cohen, Rachel Podger, Richard Egarr, Lionel Meunier, among many others. Carmen’s upcoming season includes performances with Twelfth Night, Arcangelo, Handel & Haydn Society, Apollo’s Fire, Repast Baroque, CMSCVA, Washington Bach Consort, and more. Beyond performing, Carmen’s commitment to community engagement has led to years of nonprofit work for schools, shelters, hospitals, and detention centers across the world. Carmen holds degrees from Juilliard, New England Conservatory, and Eastman School of Music, where she was a Lois Rogers and Links Scholar.