BIOGRAPHY
International clarinetist John De La Paz has built a distinguished career defined by artistic excellence, meaningful human connection, and the belief that music transcends language, culture, and borders.
Rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the American Southwest, De La Paz has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral artist, recording artist, and clinician throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Japan, presenting performances, residencies, and masterclasses that have connected audiences across cultures through the shared language of music.
His orchestral career includes performances with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Tucson Pops Orchestra, Sierra Vista Symphony, Lensic Festival Orchestra, New Mexico Philharmonic, and the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez. He has also appeared as a guest artist and clinician for universities, festivals, and professional organizations throughout North America and abroad, presenting recitals, masterclasses, and educational residencies.
Throughout his career, De La Paz has collaborated with internationally recognized composers through performances, commissions, premieres, recordings, and educational projects. These collaborations include Augustin Hadelich, Benjamin Loeb, David Itkin, Eric Marienthal, Eric Whitacre, Jeffrey Brooks, José Luis Gómez, Odaline de la Martínez, Roberto Minczuk, Sergio Reyes, and Tad Suzuki, among many other distinguished musicians, composers, and conductors.
As Concertmaster of the “University of Nevada, Las Vegas Wind Orchestra, De La Paz is featured on multiple commercial recordings released by Klavier Records and Naxos, including recordings with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal. His artistry has also been featured through concert broadcasts, educational media, and international livestream performances.
De La Paz is a Behn Performing Artist, BG France Performing Artist, and D'Addario Woodwinds Performing Artist, collaborating with internationally respected companies in support of artistic performance, education, and outreach.
Whether performing on the concert stage, presenting a masterclass, commissioning new works, or mentoring the next generation of musicians, De La Paz approaches every opportunity with the conviction that music is an act of service. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to artistic excellence, authentic human connection, and the enduring belief that music remains one of humanity's most powerful forces for understanding, compassion, and hope.
