Violinist Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro, 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’s had the opportunity to work with renowned early music figures such as Masaaki Suzuki, William Christie, Reggie Mobley, Raphaël Pichon, Jonathan Cohen, Rachel Podger, Richard Egarr, Lionel Meunier, among many others. Carmen’s upcoming season includes performances with Twelfth Night, Arcangelo, the Handel & Haydn Society, Apollo’s Fire, Repast Baroque, CMSCVA, Washington Bach Consort, Staunton Music Festival, and more. Beyond performing, Carmen’s commitment to community engagement has led to years of nonprofit work for organizations and work in schools, shelters, hospitals, and detention centers across the world. Carmen holds degrees from The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, and the Eastman School of Music, where she was a Lois Rogers and Links Scholar. Carmen is also known for being a serious popcorn addict, podcast junkie, dog lover, and gym rat!