Violinist FRANCISCA MENDOZA was an Artist Member of the Bronx Arts Ensemble as well as soloist with the BAE Orchestra.
The attached video is Francisca’s performance in 2016 of Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen with the Bronx Arts Ensemble Orchestra, David Gilbert, conductor.
A Chilean by birth, Francisca Mendoza performed internationally after being selected by Musical America as Young Artist of the Year in 1990. She has received outstanding accolades for her performances in Europe, The United States, Canada, Latin America, Israel, and the Far East. Her album of Debussy and Prokofiev Sonatas has been praised as “superb” and “enchanting”. In New York she has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Steinway Hall, and Lincoln Center. Radio appearances have included being a guest with Robert Sherman at WQXR, New York. In addition, her concerts have been broadcast on radio and television in the United States, Latin America, Poland, and Spain.
The Washington Post wrote: “Francisca Mendoza is a musician of uncommon individuality and power… this was Brahms as it should be played, fervent and hot-blooded but always with the most unbearable tenderness just underneath”. Avui Barcelona commended “…. Captivating musical expression… fiery and spectacular performance,” while Haaretz Israel praised”…Brilliant performance… accurate to the last detail…”
In 2015, Mendoza was invited to Cremona, Italy, by Museo del Violino Antonio Stradivari to adjudicate the International Violin Making Competition and perform at a Gala Concert at Teatro Ponchielli. She toured Italy and Poland in 2015-16 receiving standing ovations for her performances. Among her engagements in 2017 was an appearance as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico and a return to Cremona to perform two special concerts on a 1734 Stradivari violin from the exhibit at Museo del Violino. She has taught Master Classes at Mount Royal University in Calgary and at the Opusfest Festival in the Philippines where she appeared as a soloist with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.
She was a member of the faculty at the Amati Conservatory and The Amati Music Festival from 1998 to 2010 and has maintained a private studio in New York and New Jersey.
Born into an accomplished family of musicians in Chile, her parents were concert pianists and encouraged music at a very young age. In addition to learning piano, Mendoza began formal violin studies at the National Conservatory of Music of Santiago when she was four years old. At the age of fourteen, Mendoza performed as a soloist with the Youth Orchestra at the Conservatory. She went on to win a scholarship from the Organization of American States and the University of Michigan, which brought her to the U.S. Winner of numerous competitions and awards during her studies, she obtained a Diploma in Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Master’s Degree in Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music.
Mendoza’s teachers included Donald Weilerstein, Aaron Rosand, Dorothy DeLay, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Angel Reyes, Paul Statsky, and David Cerone.