Paulina Villarreal Named to Yamaha’s 2024 “40 Under 40”
In 2024, Yamaha recognized Paulina Villarreal as one of its “40 Under 40” music educators, an annual program honoring educators making significant contributions to music education and their communities.
Yamaha’s feature highlighted Villarreal’s work expanding vocal repertoire at the University of Memphis, including graduate courses devoted to Iberian and Latin American song and music suppressed during the Third Reich. The profile also recognized her research and performance initiatives surrounding Latin American repertoire, her collaboration with Opera Memphis on the Nuevas Canciones vocal competition, and her work as founder and artistic director of Cantos para el Mundo.
Villarreal was one of 40 educators selected for the 2024 class from hundreds of nominations nationwide. Yamaha cited the group for demonstrating action, courage, creativity, and growth in strengthening music education.