About Me

Valentina Guillen Menesello is a Venezuelan violinist currently based in Chicago. Valentina graduated with a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University in 2020, where she studied with Gerardo Ribeiro. Currently, Valentina is obtaining her Certificate in Violin Performance at DePaul University serving as the teacher assistant of Professor Ann Setzer. Valentina is also a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Faculty at the Northwestern University Music Academy.

During 2015-2018, Valentina attended DePaul University in Chicago, where she studied with renowned Violinist and Pedagogue Olga D Kaler. She played in chamber and orchestral masterclasses for Ilya Kaler and Janet Sung. Valentina started her pedagogical studies with Carla Trynchuk at DePaul University during her Undergraduate studies. At Northwestern University, Valentina served as assistant to Stacia Spencer in the Northwestern Music Academy.

Valentina began her musical journey in Miami, Florida at the age of six where she started playing in her school and church orchestra in addition to private lessons under the Suzuki Method. At the age of ten, Valentina and her family returned home to Venezuela, and was welcomed into El Sistema. She first became a member of the Children Orchestra and then of the Youth Orchestra. During those years, Valentina performed under conductors such as Cesar Ivan Lares, Dietrich Paredes and Gustavo Dudamel.

In addition to attending a rigorous and inspiring Orchestra program, Valentina studied privately with the concertmaster of Merida’s Symphony, Maria Alejandra Guerrero and with Violinist and Pedagogue Semaias Botello. Valentina has performed throughout the United States and Venezuela. In 2016 and 2019, she visited her hometown and gave recitals in Venezuela. She has attended several summer programs like the Meadowmount School of Music, Bowdoin International Festival and Nuevo Mundo. She has had the opportunity to play in masterclasses for Itzhak Rashkovsky, Simon Gollo, Robert Chen, the Dover Quartet, Ani Schnarch, Blair Milton, Robert Hanford and others.