“Juan Villanueva, violinist and violist from Ibagué, Colombia, is a Music Performance major with a minor in viola at Rowan University, studying under Dr. Timothy Schwarz. Winner of the Rowan University Viola Concerto Competition (2023) and Orchestra Concerto Competition (2024), Juan has appeared as soloist with the Rowan University Symphony Orchestra performing works by Bruch and Tchaikovsky. Juan Villanueva has served as Concert master at Rowan University Symphonic Orchestra since spring 2022 – spring 2025. In June 2025, Juan joins the newly formed Meridian Quintet as Second Violin, ensemble who received the Donald Spieth Memorial Award for excellence in performance in the same month. Alongside his studies, Juan is an active performer and teacher, sharing his passion for music through solo, chamber, orchestral, and teaching work.”