Paula is the Music Director of the Northwest Orchestra, where she promotes classical music and social justice through free musical experiences that foster inclusion and intercultural understanding. She co-founded the Ballard Civic Orchestra in 2015, raising donations to expand its impact. In 2021, she co-founded the Cascade Conducting Masterclass and Cascade Composing, and has donated instruments to over 60 children. In 2022, she received the Opera America Award for bringing new perspectives to opera productions. Paula offers free classes to children through Youth Strings Outreach (YSO) and provides opportunities for adults to play in the Ballard Civic Orchestra in Seattle. She continues to expand access for more Latinos to classical music by uploading her concerts to YouTube. She produces eight concerts a year, includes latin music in the orchestra's repertoire, and teaches online.