Candace Guirao has been performing with New Century Chamber Orchestra since its second season in 1993! She was a founding member of the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, and has performed extensively with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, San Jose Symphony, San Francisco Theater Orchestras and Skywalker Sound Orchestra. 

Highlights from her career include performances with the San Francisco Opera, playing with legends such as Joni Mitchell and the Eagles, playing Hamilton in Puerto Rico with Lin Manuel Miranda, and the Schubert Octet at the Tanglewood Music Festival where she met her husband, Josh (the horn player). 

Ms. Guirao was concertmaster of Baz Luhrmann's production and Broadway Cast CD of Puccini's "La Boheme." She has served as guest concertmaster with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia in La Coruña, Spain, and as assistant principal second violin of the Santa Rosa Symphony. She has performed with the Mark Morris dance company, and toured Japan with the Henry Mancini and Percy Faith orchestras. Ms. Guirao attended the Oberlin Conservatory and the San Francisco Conservatory, and has attended the music festivals at Aspen and Tanglewood, and the New York String Seminar under Alexander Schneider. She can be heard on recordings on the Deutsche Grammophon, New Albion, D'Note, and NSS Music labels. 

Ms. Guirao is passionate about music education, and has performed in every primary school in the San Francisco Unified School District as part of the San Francisco Symphony's Adventures in Music Program over numerous seasons. She has also played for the New Century Chamber Orchestra's educational outreach programs in Marin County schools. Ms. Guirao has taught at the California State University, Stanislaus, coached chamber music at Lick Wilmerding high school and San Francisco's Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, and served on the faculty of Schools of the Sacred Heart and the San Francisco Day School. Ms. Guirao maintains an active teaching studio in San Francisco.

What is your hometown?

Stockton CA

How long have you performed with New Century?

Since 1993

What do you love about New Century?

I love the camaraderie of the musicians and staff. It has been my second family. And I love our dedicated and supportive audience.

What is your favorite New Century memory?

Performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons, with each movement featuring a different violinist from the orchestra.

How did you start learning your instrument, or who inspired you to begin?

My mom was given a violin, and I jumped at the chance to play. Her support is why I became a violinist. 

What do you like to do when you're not being a musician? What are your hobbies?

Cooking, Gardening, and most recently Pottery and Pickleball!

What's your favorite Bay Area place (restaurant, park, etc.)?

My garden!