Originally from Guatemala, Juan Cruz moved to the United States during the early 1980's. During this transition, he learned that through music, he was able to
not experience the common feelings of "home" becoming increasingly abstract. Through this realization, his mother's encouragement and love for the
instrument; he began his study of the saxophone. He received his high school education from the School of Creative and Performing Arts in San Diego, California. Upon graduation, he was awarded a scholarship which permitted him to further his education. He went on to study music at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Through Hampshire's unique academic program, he was given to opportunity to hybrid his musical education with the academic programs of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts. This unique academic network, gave him the opportunity to study (and eventually record and perform) with Dr. Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp. These artistic pioneers work had already been Juan's central forces of inspiration and proof of voices within the rubble of emulation. At Hampshire college, he also studied with master flautist Margo Simmons Edwards. Her ability to create a seamless metamorphosis of texture within sonic fabric, inspired and fueled his research in his areas of interest such as theoretical applications for musical composition, musical acoustics and instrumental construction.

Juan holds a B.A. degree in Music Education from Hampshire College and a masters degree in Composition/Performance from the University of Massachusetts. Juan is a member of  Dr. Yusef Lateef's Quartet "Until Before" www.untilbefore.com Juan Cruz currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and their one year old son.