Mariana Garciagodoy, a native of Mexico City, is a current student at École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot in Paris France where she studies under Maestro Dominique Rouits and Julien Masmondet. She is a firm believer in the power of music to change lives, and her approach to music making follows this conviction. Mariana is very interested in different cultures and loves the ways in which music overcomes barriers and brings people together, no matter how different their backgrounds are. Mariana is the musical director of the Orchestre Municipale de Chateauroux, France. Prior to this appointment, she served on the faculty of Florida Institute of Technology. Additionally, she directed the Junior group in Soundcompany, Performing Children’s Choir of Oak Ridge for four years. During this time she prepared the children to participate in Knoxville’s Opera production of Carmen, as well as created opportunities for them to engaged with accomplished musicians in our country. Mariana holds a Master's of Music degree from the University of Tennessee where she studied under Dr. Angela Batey. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Lake Forest College, IL. Additionally, Ms. Garciagodoy has studied with Maestro Kenneth Kiesler, Dr. Gene Peterson and Dr. Emilie Amrein.