Violinist Carmen Johnson Pájaro, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, 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 is currently pursuing a master’s degree in historical performance at The Juilliard School, studying with Elizabeth Blumenstock, Robert Mealy, and Cynthia Roberts.

Recent engagements include performances with Washington Bach Consort, Teatro Nuovo, New York Baroque Incorporated, Valley of the Moon Music Festival, Twelfth Night, Bach Akademie Charlotte, Washington National Cathedral, Early Music Access Project, and Juilliard415. She’s had the opportunity to work with renowned early music figures such as Masaaki Suzuki, William Christie, and Rachel Podger, among many others.

Beyond traditional performing, Carmen’s commitment to community engagement and education has led to years of administrative nonprofit work as well as work in schools, shelters, and detention centers across the world. Carmen holds degrees in violin performance from the New England Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music, where she was a Lois Rogers and Links Scholar.