Paola Marquez

Colombian composer, psychologist and social worker Paola M. Marquez is a businesswoman with the soul of a composer, the heart of a social worker, the mind of a researcher, and the desire to learn and work with others. She completed a master’s in composition at Syracuse University and a master’s social work at the University of Michigan. 
Currently, while working as a composer, Paola lives in Michigan and is the vice chair for Intake Music, executive program & operations manager for Detroit Children's Choir, and educational program assistant for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, helping them develop programs to expand music education in the community.

She was a panelist for AIMS Detroit & University of Michigan and published her research in music cognition in SACCOM (2008) and her book Mar Azul. She was an adjunct professor at Syracuse University, a social worker at Imagine Syracuse and Matrix Head Start, and an assistant and interpreter for Musica Mestiza, led by composer Gabriela Frank.
As a composer, Paola uses her understanding of human psychology as inspiration for her work creating a unique bridge linking art, music and social issues. She has written film, orchestral, chamber, choir, and vocal compositions, and many have been performed in cities in Colombia and the U.S. She received the Honorable Mention Citation in recognition of Performance and Achievement in the International Music Prize for Excellence in Composition 2011 competition held in Greece.