Jose Castillo is the concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica. He studied violin at the Herbert von Karajan Academy in Germany, with Leon Spierer, concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He previously studied in the United States, with Sylvia Moss and Esther Glazer, both pupils of the renowned pedagogue Ivan Galamian. During his stay in Germany, he was regularly invited to participate in concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic, including tours to France, Austria and The United States. During that time he played with some of the world’s best conductors, among them: Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Osawa, Daniel Baremboim, Zubin Metha, Ricardo Muti, Carlo Maria Giulini, Colin Davis and Klaus Tennstedt. Castillo has performed as soloist or recitalist in Central America, the U.S.A. and Europe. He teaches at the National Music Institute. With his violin and guitar duo, he has made six compact discs.