John Paul Da Bosco Solano
International Music Teacher
Quito
Summary
International Music Educator | Curriculum Developer | Professional Musician
An accomplished international music educator, curriculum developer, and professional musician with 10+ years of experience in Costa Rica, China, and Ecuador. A founding IB Music teacher at both Pan-American School (2017) and Albert Einstein School (2024), he has successfully designed and led music programs for K-12 and higher education, integrating composition, performance, and production into dynamic learning experiences.
Beyond education, he is a professional performer, vocalist, and composer, having sung for audiences of up to 15,000 people and performed as a soloist with a Philharmonic Orchestra. His original music projects and recordings have been recognized at a national level, including awards from recognized institutions in the music industry, and are available on digital music platforms.
Holding both a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Licentiate in Music Teaching from the University of Costa Rica (UCR), he also earned a Diploma in Classical Percussion from UCR’s Pre-University Music Program, a rigorous six-year program specializing in orchestral percussion performance. His instrumental proficiency includes marimba, drum set, Latin percussion, ukulele, guitar, and piano.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, John Paul combines pedagogical expertise with real-world musicianship, ensuring that students experience music as both an academic discipline and a lifelong creative pursuit. His approach, informed by Christopher Small’s "musicking" and Guillermo Rosabal’s decolonization of music education, transforms classrooms into spaces of exploration, innovation, and cultural relevance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PYP / MYP / DP Music Teacher (IB)
Albert Einstein School
08.2021 - Current
- Developed a Songwriting Project that produced 16 original songs from grades 7–11, with three selected for professional recording and upcoming digital release.
- Launched and managed the inaugural IB Music program, graduating its first cohort last academic year with scores ranging from 5 to 6 out of 7.
- Currently enhancing the existing Primary Musical project for PYP 4th–5th graders by integrating dance, singing, and acting with coordinated choreography and vocal staging.
- Oversees the procurement and maintenance of educational resources (instruments, rehearsal spaces, digital tools), while coordinating year-round music performances for both internal and external audiences (music in english, spanish and hebrew) and teaching extracurricular music activities including IB CAS projects involving modern ensembles.
Primary Music Teacher
Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor
02.2021 - 08.2021
- Hired by the Ministry of Education of Costa Rica as a Music Teacher at a public Catholic Primary School, where resource management is more challenging compared to private institutions.
- Within a brief 6-month period (Feb 2021 – Aug 2021), inspired students, parents, and administrators to invest in 20 ukuleles.
- Implemented a music curriculum focusing on Basic Music Theory, Harmony, and Ukulele Techniques.
- Taught students to play the ukulele, execute simple chord transitions in the key of C major, and sing simultaneously.
Online Music Teacher
Salesiano Don Bosco School
10.2020 - 12.2020
- Temporarily covered online Music classes at Salesiano Don Bosco Primary School during the pandemic (Oct 2020 – Dec 2020) as a substitute for the primary Music teacher.
- Designed and executed an innovative 2-month online Music unit focused on Music Theory and techniques for ukulele, piano, guitar, and recorder, including custom video tutorials for student guidance.
- The project had a profound impact, leaving students, parents, administrators, and the broader educational community deeply impressed by its passion and results.
International Music Teacher
Hefei IVY Experimental Academy
08.2018 - 06.2020
- Founding faculty member at Hefei IVY Experimental Academy, responsible for establishing the entire music program from the ground up in a newly opened institution (Aug 2018 – June 2020).
- Played a key role in designing music spaces, selecting, quoting, and overseeing the purchase of all musical instruments and resources needed for the program.
- Developed a comprehensive K-12 music curriculum, being the sole music teacher for students from 1st grade through 12th grade.
- Organized school-wide performances and facilitated the acquisition of specialized sound equipment, movable stage blocks, and other logistical resources.
- Successfully transitioned to online distance learning in the final semester, focusing on ukulele instruction.
Music Education Professor
University Of Costa Rica
02.2018 - 06.2018
- Lecturer at the University of Costa Rica for one semester, teaching the Fundamentals and Principles of Music Education course within the Music Pedagogy program (Faculty of Education and Musical Arts).
- Designed and led a music composition and production project that introduced students to modern pedagogical approaches tailored to the Latin American context, incorporating Christopher Small’s musicking philosophy.
- Guided students in teaching songwriting for diverse K-12 settings, requiring them to compose their own original songs before learning to facilitate composition for others.
- Organized a final recital at the Teatro del Museo de Jade, featuring an interactive composition workshop for the audience and live performances of students’ original works, reinforcing the accessibility of music creation.
International Music Teacher
Pan-american School
01.2014 - 07.2017
- International Music Teacher at Pan-American School (Jan 2014 – July 2017), founding the IB Music program and leading the transformation of the school’s music department.
- Led the design and implementation of new music classrooms within a newly constructed academic facility, collaborating with school leadership and the board of directors.
- Secured a $60,000 investment for high-quality professional instruments and the construction of the school's first recording studio.
- Produced the school’s first original music album, selecting 13 songs from over 70 compositions by students of all ages, including a 9-year-old primary student.
- The album was awarded Featured Album by ACAM (Costa Rica’s Association of Composers and Musical Authors) in 2018, recognizing not only the achievement in original music production but also its unprecedented nature. Until then, no project of this kind—featuring multiple musical genres, composed, recorded, and produced entirely by students within an educational program—had ever been done in Costa Rica.
Cultural Manager
Chinese-Costa Rica Cultural And Educational Center
02.2012 - 08.2013
- Company Overview: Worked on the creation of the concept and development of the Cultural Agenda 'ChineArte'
- Successfully performed the position of Cultural Manager in the Chinese Cultural and Educational Center of Costa Rica, working on the creation of the concept and development of the Cultural Agenda 'ChineArte'
- Management of budgets, agenda, contacts, itinerary planning, critical strategic routes
- Graphic design of posters and banners, brochures and business cards
- Management of promotion by Social Networks and Press Release
- Co-organizer of the 'Chinese Bridge' Annual Contest in two occasions (2012 - 2013) held at the Melico Salazar National Theater
- Worked on the creation of the concept and development of the Cultural Agenda 'ChineArte'
Education
Licentiate in Music Teaching (2 Years) - Music Education
Universidad De Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica02-2017
Bachelor of Music Education - Music Education
University Of Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica02-2012
Diploma in Classical Percussion, Pre-University - Classical Percussion
University Of Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica11.2007
Skills
- Guitar
- Drum-set
- Snare Drums
- Marimba
- Xylophone
- Piano
- Singer/Vocalist
- Ukulele
- Latin Dance Teacher
Certification
- IB MUSIC CAT1, 2015
- MYP MUSIC CAT1, 2021
- IB MUSIC CAT2, 2022
- MYP MUSIC CAT2 2023
Accomplishments
- Founder of the musical group, IN SITU, which won national and international competitions.
- 2017 ACAM National Music Award for innovative student production.
- Received the ACAM 2020 Costa Rica Award Best Single for his song 'Así'.
Languages
Spanish
English
Youtube Channel
youtube.com/c/johnpauldabosco
Timeline
PYP / MYP / DP Music Teacher (IB)
Albert Einstein School
08.2021 - Current
Primary Music Teacher
Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor
02.2021 - 08.2021
Online Music Teacher
Salesiano Don Bosco School
10.2020 - 12.2020
International Music Teacher
Hefei IVY Experimental Academy
08.2018 - 06.2020
Music Education Professor
University Of Costa Rica
02.2018 - 06.2018
International Music Teacher
Pan-american School
01.2014 - 07.2017
Cultural Manager
Chinese-Costa Rica Cultural And Educational Center
02.2012 - 08.2013
- IB MUSIC CAT1, 2015
- MYP MUSIC CAT1, 2021
- IB MUSIC CAT2, 2022
- MYP MUSIC CAT2 2023
Licentiate in Music Teaching (2 Years) - Music Education
Universidad De Costa Rica
Bachelor of Music Education - Music Education
University Of Costa Rica
Diploma in Classical Percussion, Pre-University - Classical Percussion
University Of Costa Rica
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