Josh Portuondo-Dember

Josh was taught violin through the Suzuki Method as part of his elementary school curriculum at El Paso Hebrew Day School in Texas.  He continued playing through grade school and in 1998 had the honor of performing in Carnegie Hall with the Coronado High School Orchestra.  Josh then moved to Denver, Colorado, and started his freelance strolling minstrel business playing in Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

In 2001, Josh played violin at select receptions and professional fund raisers which played a part in receiving the Colorado Governor’s Opportunity Scholarship. His scholarship was applied to Music Therapy coursework and a B.A. in Business Administration from Colorado State University.

After graduating from CSU in 2006, Josh and his violin, Raphael, have had many adventures sharing their love of music and the joy it brings people at places like:  the bustling market in downtown Jerusalem; on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno; in a raft on the Colorado river; on a camel in Petra, Jordan; on the beach in Phuket, Thailand; and delivering music telegrams at Walt Disney World Resort. He has created a unique style of playing by meshing his classical music training with improv techniques learned in African drumming classes and structured jam sessions.

He has also enjoyed participating in the summer programs of the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp and Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and provides music therapy visits at various nursing homes and hospitals in the Greater Boston area.  You may have even seen him playing in a tree at the Brookline Symphony 5K Run, too!