Patricio Molina

Biography

NAMED A ‘GIFTED ARTIST’ BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, DR. PATRICIO MOLINA D.M.A., PH.D. has gained a reputation as a composer, pianist, and educator. He regularly appears on stages such as Carnegie Hall and OPERA America. Dr. Molina is a Yamaha Artist. The New Jersey Youth Symphony, White Snake Projects, Legacy Arts International, and Ulysses Quartet are among the many artists and institutions who have recognized his talents with commissioned works. Inspirations for his compositions include his Chilean-Syrian heritage, mythology, and literature, as well as his experience as an immigrant. His accomplishments in the field of arts education have been recognized by the New Jersey Education Association with their prestigious Award for Excellence. Patricio is in demand as a lecturer on a wide variety of topics including composition, Arabic music, and building inclusion in classical music and has presented his research and expertise at institutions such as the College Music Society National Conference, The National Association for Music Education, The New Jersey Music Educators Association, and the Penn State International New-Music Festival and Symposium. Patricio holds a Master's Degree with distinction from the Manhattan School of Music. In 2019, he earned the first double doctorate in the history of Rutgers University: a D.M.A. in Piano Performance, and a Ph.D. in Music Composition. He serves as Director of the Conservatory for Newark School of the Arts, and Music Director at St. Thomas the Apostle Church of Bloomfield, New Jersey. He is Founder and President of the Pan-Global Music Initiative, a nonprofit foundation that seeks to promote classical music from underrepresented cultures. Patricio was recently awarded a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Universidad Católica Nordestana (DR) and has begun work on a book for student pianists based on beloved Caribbean melodies set for publication in 2026. Learn more at www.patriciofmolina.com.