Raúl Guillén (Violin/Viola) Since August 2026

Originally from Toluca, Mexico, violinist and conductor Raúl Guillén began his musical studies at the Conservatory of Music of the State of Mexico and later continued his violin studies in Mexico City with distinguished violinist and pedagogue Jorge Risi. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Universidad Panamericana and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting and Violin at the University of North Dakota, where he studies with Alejandro Drago. Outside of music, Raúl is an avid reader and a passionate fan of cult cinema and Star Wars; he enjoys soccer, board games, running, working out, taking long walks, and spending time with friends over good food, especially Mexican cuisine and tacos. He loves conversations about culture, history, gastronomy, film, and music, and his eclectic musical tastes range from classic rock and 80s bands to artists such as Slash, Carlos Santana, Daft Punk, Tame Impala, Zoé, and Gustavo Cerati. As a teacher, Raúl is committed to creating a supportive and disciplined environment where each student can develop strong technique, musicality, sound production, and interpretive skills while also exploring the music that inspires them. He enjoys learning about each student’s individual interests in both violin and viola, whether they are drawn to classical music, folk traditions, popular and commercial music, or other styles, and he is always open to discovering new music together and helping each student learn the repertoire they are most excited to play.