Juan Valencia

Biography

School: Duluth High School
ASO Instructor: Carolyn Toll Hancock 
Other Musical Affiliations: Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra 
Summer Camps: Franklin Pond Chamber Music (2023), Brevard Music Center (2024) 

Juan Valencia is a junior at Duluth High School. He began his musical journey on the piano at age seven and started playing the violin three years later. Currently, Juan studies under Carolyn Toll Hancock, a violinist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 

In 2023, Juan participated in the Franklin Pond Chamber Music Summer Intensive Program, where he engaged in various chamber works and masterclasses. This past summer, he attended the Brevard Music Center’s annual summer music festival in the high school violin division, studying with Byron Tauchi, the principal second violinist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. At Brevard, Juan took part in orchestral performances, solo recitals, and chamber music. 

One of his favorite memories with the Talent Development Program (TDP) is his first conducting masterclass led by conductor Tamara Dworetz. Juan joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program in 2022 and soon became a member of the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he was involved with the Kendal Youth Orchestra and the GMEA District 13 honors orchestra since 7th grade, as well as the GMEA All-State Orchestra in recent years. 

In addition to his musical pursuits, Juan is an active member of his school's Math and Science National Honor Societies and competes regularly with his Science Olympiad team at the state level. Outside of academics, he has a passion for cooking and enjoys spending time with his dogs. His favorite hobbies include playing chess, reading, and playing volleyball.