Biography

Raised in Orange County, California, Paola Anahy Falfan is a cellist and music educator in the Southern California region. Through her public school education and involvement with several music programs, Paola learned the violin and cello. With encouragement and support from her high school mentors, Paola continued her musical studies in higher education. She obtained a B.M. in Music Education with a scholarship and Single Subject Credential from the California State University, Long Beach, and an A.A. in Music from Santa Ana College. Paola’s primary cello instructors were Joon Sung Jun and Manon Robertshaw.

As a cellist, Paola enjoys performing in various types of ensembles, such as jazz combos, chamber ensembles, and orchestras. She has experience performing in a wide spectrum of genres, including classical, heavy metal, church music, jazz, musicals, pop music, contemporary, and much more. Paola has performed with the Orchestra at the Beach, Studio Orchestra of Long Beach, CSULB's New Music Ensemble, CSULB’s Concert Band, ConneXions Music Ensemble, Native American Flute Ensemble, Amici Concert Artists Cello Ensemble, Long Beach City College’s Symphony Orchestra, Santa Ana College’s Chamber Orchestra, Santa Ana Camerata, and Tonario Orchestra to name a few.

As an educator, Paola currently teaches privately on violin, viola, cello, and piano all over Orange County in music schools, such as the Westminister & Garden Grove Academy of the Arts, Bee Music, Art, & Culture Center, Pacific Conservatory Music Academy, and OC Musica. Her firm belief is that all students have the potential to play music, the capability to learn an instrument, and the right to music education regardless of their background.

Outside of teaching and performing, Paola loves to make music with her friends, spend time with her loved ones, cook yummy food, paint, read poetry, watch her favorite shows, go out for walks, take pictures of local art in the community, go to the beach, shop for clothes, and collect Hello Kitty things.