Bio

Carlos Rafael Martinez Arroyo is a distinguished violinist acclaimed for his technical proficiency and artistic versatility. Born in Córdoba, Spain and based in New York City, Carlos has carved a noteworthy presence in the classical music scene through performances, chamber music collaborations, and festival appearances across the United States, Mexico, and Europe.
Carlos holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where he was awarded a full scholarship under the Pinchas Zukerman Performance Program. His influential teachers have included renowned violinists such as Pinchas Zukerman, Patinka Kopec, and Mark Steinberg.
A review in El Mundo praised Carlos’s performance, stating: “Here one could appreciate his singing quality, his sense of phrasing, and his aptitude for musical dialogue, with the assurance of a soloist with superior technical resources and musicality.”
His vibrant performance career includes featured solo engagements with the Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla in Spain, where he performed the Bruch Violin Concerto at the Teatro de la Maestranza, and the New York Session Symphony, presenting Brahms’s Double Concerto in Manhattan. Additionally, Carlos’s chamber music contributions include performances at esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, WQXR Radio Studios, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, and Festival Haus der Musik in Mexico, highlighting his ability to seamlessly blend solo artistry with collaborative musicianship.
Carlos has participated in notable festivals and residencies, including serving as a Chamber Music Fellow at the Heifetz International Institute of Music and collaborating with eminent artists such as Ani Kavafian and Miki Sawada. His commitment to community engagement is evident through educational workshops conducted with Midori & Friends and at the New York Public Library, fostering deeper cultural appreciation and accessibility.
His dedication to musical excellence has earned him accolades, including Second Prize at the Chicago International Violin Competition (2022).
Outside performance, Carlos has cultivated significant teaching experience, nurturing students across diverse age groups and skill levels in prominent New York music institutions. Fluent in Spanish and English, and proficient in several other languages, he is dedicated to connecting with a global audience both through music and cultural exchange. He performs on a 2004 Mario Miralles violin generously loaned by the Maestro Foundation.

Teaching Info

My approach is based on flexibility depending on the needs and personality of the student. As for younger kids, I have a more interactive and fun method, being aware of the fact that they need to create a healthy relationship with music. With adult students, I can afford to explain concepts and use methods of working which are more intellectually focused.

One of my main points in my pedagogical system is not only share knowledge and give instructions, but also make the student their own teacher, in a way. Periodical performances will be required, which enormously help our development, and you will get loads of listening suggestions to expand your music literature knowledge and fall in love with this!