Colombian violinist Santiago Ariza started playing the violin at the age of three. At the age of fifteen he started his undergraduate studies, graduating five years later with a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Central University in Bogota.

During this time, he won first prize in the 2012 Alliance Française music

competition held in Bogota-Colombia and first prize in the Fabio Lozano University youth talents music competition held in the same city. During these five years he played in Germany, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and United States. He also attended festivals such as Interlochen (Michigan), Esmeraldas Music Festival (Ecuador), Cartagena music Festival (Colombia) among others.

In 2019, he embarked on his first Colombian national tour in collaboration with Batuta music foundation in which did workshops, masterclasses, and played recitals. This experience nurtured his interest in teaching and shortly after he created his private studio in Fort Worth. Mr. Ariza has served as a chamber music coach for the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra and for five years worked as graduate assistant for his violin professor Dr. Elisabeth Adkins. He has helped his students win competitions, earn scholarships, and likes to program one work on their recitals

to be able to join them on stage.

Recently, he was invited to play as a soloist with the Fort Worth Symphony

Orchestra and has served as a substitute musician for 4 years.

Santiago Ariza earned a master’s degree from Texas Christian University and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree at TCU under the guidance of Dr. Elisabeth Adkins.