John Holguin grew up in El Paso, TX where in 2005 he received a B.M. in Music Education, cum laude. During his time at the University of Texas at El Paso, John spent four years with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and performed occasionally with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra in New Mexico and the Symphony Orchestra in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. After completing his degree, John worked as a middle school orchestra director.
In addition to being a classically trained violist, John began performing with Mariachi Los Pasajeros of El Paso in 2001, and in 2007 helped form and co-direct Mariachi Boston of Massachusetts. John was also a member of Mariachi Tamazula of Austin, TX until 2010.
John completed his Masters of Music degree from Boston University, where he also worked as a graduate assistant and orchestra manager. Performing around the New England area gave John the chance to work with composers from the Berkley School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Longy School of Music and Boston University. John was also an original member of Quartetto Latino de Revueltas, which performed in and around the Boston area focusing on works by Latin American composers such as Ponce, Ginastera, Moncayo and Revueltas. In 2009, Quartetto Latino de Revueltas performed a concert/masterclass and presentation on Latin American music at the Wheaten College in Norton, MA.
In 2009, John returned to Texas and now calls Austin home. While continuing to perform with many symphonies in the Austin area, John also owns and runs Musical Discovery Chamber Players. He provides live string music for weddings/corporate events/parties/etc.
When he is not performing, John teaches a private string studio of over 40 middle and high school students.
Every year John has students who represent his studio at the district, region, and state levels. Many of these students have ranked as some of the top middle school and high school players in the city and state.
Some of his students’ efforts include achieving the highest ranking of principal seat, received superior rankings at regional and state level Solo and Ensemble events, and have competed in advanced concerto competitions. John is proud to have had many of his students continue on to study music at the college and university level.
John enjoys all aspects of teaching and is regularly asked to clinic local middle and high school orchestras as well as participate on local All-Region judging panels for both middle and high school.
John also has an amazing five year old Jack Russell Terrier named Benny and Pug named Dottie