Violist Orquídea Guandique-Araniva teaches Viola and Music History at the Universidad de Costa Rica since 2011.
She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona, where she also received a Master of Music degree, and graduated with honors from the Universidad de Costa Rica with a degree in viola performance.
She has performed as a soloist with the Truman State University Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Costa Rica, University of Arizona Symphony Orchestra, UA Philharmonic Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Heredia, and Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de El Salvador.
She also presented recitals and conferences in the United States, Costa Rica, Portugal, Poland, and El Salvador.
An active chamber musician, Orquídea has played with numerous ensembles at the University of Arizona, as well as with the Canyon String Quartet, Sheherezade String Quartet, and Ensamble Universitario de la Universidad de Costa Rica, among others. Her interest in contemporary music has led her to premiere numerous works.
She has been a recipient of several scholarships and awards, including the Promesa Juvenil award from Centro Nacional de Registro in El Salvador, Concurso de Honor at Universidad de Costa Rica, as well as the Medici Scholarship and the Torp Scholarship, among others.