BIO
“John Quijano is at the forefront of the new breed of classical guitar virtuosi. He possesses a refined, flawless, and powerful technique, and a state-of-the-art knowledge of performance practices from all style periods. He communicates, motivates and inspires with the precision of intellectual curiosity, the confidence of strength, and the capacity for fiery sensitivity. He has a proven track record of musical leadership to build audiences and programs on behalf of the art and the profession.” -Nicholas Goluses
He completed his undergraduate and master's musical studies at the Pontifical Javeriana University (Colombia), graduating Summa Cum Laude and receiving the Meritorious Concert award, under the guidance of Maestro Carlos Posada.
As part of his professional training, he undertook private studies with teachers Bruce Holzman (Tallahassee) and Nicholas Goluses (Rochester). In Spain, he attended acting courses in Santiago de Compostela on a scholarship, taught by the renowned teacher José Luis Rodrigo.
He has performed as a concert artist at major national and international festivals, including the 33rd Morelia International Guitar Festival (Mexico), the 2023 Mangostino de Oro Festival, the 5th International Guitar Encounter of the University of Cauca (Popayán), and the El Nogal Guitar Festival of the National Pedagogical University (2022). He has also participated in the 10th Compensar International Guitar Encounter, the 5th International Festival of the Fernando Sor School of Music, and the Uniquindío GuitarArt Festival. In the United States, he was invited as a Guest Artist by the Music Department of Oral Roberts University (Tulsa). In 2025, he also participated in the Cartagena International Music Festival.
In December 2025, he toured Italy, performing at the Conservatories of Rimini and Bologna, as well as at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, in collaboration with the Egea Records label.
Winner of the Young Performers Competition of the Pontifical Javeriana University (2009), he has performed as a guitar soloist with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Colombia and the Symphony Orchestra of the Tolima Conservatory.
He has served as a guitar professor in the Master’s Program in Music at Universidad Central and worked with the Colombian Youth Symphony Orchestra. Since 2016, he has held the position of Chair of the Guitar Department at the Conservatorio de Música del Tolima.