Fabiola Yupari was born and grew up in Lima, Peru until the age of seven when she moved to the US. Her exposure to various musical cultures from both countries ignited her interest in music. Fabi was in fifth grade in Sedro Woolley when she started orchestra under Celeste Weaver. Her musical curiosity continued and joined band in sixth grade to play saxophone. Throughout high school, she participated in orchestra, jazz band, symphonic band, marching band, chamber groups, wind ensemble, regional honors orchestra, and Fidalgo Youth Symphony.
Fabiola graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and East Asian Studies from Western Washington University. Fabi first started to teach violin during her undergrad since she naturally embraced teaching as part of her music journey. Later in 2019, she earned her Master of Music in the concentration of Music History and Literature also from Western. Fabiola studied violin with Walter Schwede and Dr. Laura Camacho during her undergraduate and graduate studies. Her master’s thesis focused on the musical heritage of Peru during the Viceroyalty with the guidance of Dr. Bertil Van Boer. She was a recipient of Western’s Enhancement of Graduate Research Award of 2018 which granted travel to Peru. While in Peru, she obtained access to the library of National Conservatory of Music, the National Library of Peru, and the Archiepiscopal Archives of Lima and Arequipa. She is also fluent in Spanish and conversational in Japanese.
Fabi is an active member with North Cascades Community Orchestra. She also has played with Skagit Valley College in several musicals including The Sound of Music, The Music Man, and Cinderella. In 2023, Fabiola was selected as a mentorship recipient to work with Hal Grossman by SPHINX Foundation’s National Alliance for Audition Support. Fabi’s main instrument is violin, but also teaches orchestral strings, single reed woodwinds, voice, and piano. Additionally, Fabi gets involved with her community by volunteering at Fairhaven and Whatcom Middle Schools as an assistant coach to their orchestras and bands.
Fabiola is a supporter of musician’s wellness in order to prevent pain and performance injuries. From her own experience, chronic pain and neuropathy have been more manageable with occupational and physical therapy. She encourages students of any age to advocate for themselves with their medical provider. Fabi is thrilled to share strengthening and focus techniques to make students feel successful.
