Known for his energetic performances and “Red-Headed temperament” , Violinist John-Paul Hernandez’s passion for music knows no bounds. He is a current undergraduate student at the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Olga Dubossorskaya-Kaler. Raised in rural NC, John-Paul began playing the Violin at the age of 4 and quickly developed an ear for good music making.

John-Paul has performed with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, touring North America under the Baton of Sir Andrew Davis with soloists Gil Shaham and Hilary Hahn. He held the position of principal second violin in the Triangle Youth Philharmonic directed by David Glover and has performed with the CIM Orchestra under conductors such as Tito Muñoz, Carolyn Kuan, and Anthony Parnther. Additionally John-Paul has subbed with the Mansfield symphony orchestra.

John-Paul has participated actively in the musical community of North Carolina playing in ensembles all across the state. As first violinist of the Bravura String Quartet, Hernandez advanced to the finals of the University of South Carolina chamber music competition twice in a row and won first prize at the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs in 2022. 

John-Paul has played in masterclass for Areta Zhulla, Todd Phillips, Ara Gregorian, Hye-Jin Kim, Michael Kannen, Maria Lambros, and Caroline Shaw among others, and has received chamber music mentorship from artists such as Phillip Setzer, Elizabeth Beilman, Anita Pontremoli and Bonnie Thron.

Other Music Festivals John-Paul has participated in include Sphinx Performance Academy Juilliard, Cleveland Institute of Music Summer Intensive, Four Seasons Summer Chamber Music Institute and Next Generation program.

John-Paul is certified to teach Suzuki Pre-Twinkle, Twinkle, and Book 1 by the Suzuki association of the Americas.