Draft:Juan Pablo Contreras

Juan Pablo Contreras (born August 9, 1987) is a renowned Mexican composer and conductor known for blending Western classical music with Mexican folk traditions. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to composition and his dedication to bringing Mexican cultural narratives into the classical music world.

Early Life and Education
Contreras moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to attend the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied under influential Mexican composer Daniel Catán. He later earned a Master of Music (MM) from the Manhattan School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Southern California (USC) Thornton School of Music. His notable teachers included Richard Danielpour, Daniel Catán, Nils Vigeland, Andrew Norman, and Donald Crockett.

Career
Contreras has achieved significant recognition for his work, with his compositions being performed by over 40 major orchestras worldwide, including the National Symphony Orchestra (USA), the Extremadura Orchestra (Spain), the Jalisco Philharmonic (Mexico), the Córdoba Symphony (Argentina), and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra (Venezuela).

In 2016, he released Mariachitlán, an album that earned him a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement. His works often reflect his Mexican heritage, telling stories through a blend of classical and folk music.

Notable Works

 * Mariachitlán (2016) – This piece captures the vibrant atmosphere of Guadalajara’s Mariachi Plaza and brought Contreras a Latin Grammy nomination.
 * Lucha Libre! (2022) – Commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, this orchestral work draws inspiration from Mexican freestyle wrestling and was recorded with the Orquesta Latino Mexicana.
 * MeChicano (2023) – A co-commissioned work reflecting Contreras’ identity as a Mexican-American, premiered by several U.S. orchestras including the Richmond Symphony and Fresno Philharmonic.

Awards and Honors
Contreras has received numerous awards, including the BMI William Schuman Prize, the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, and the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music. He was also the first Mexican composer to sign a record deal with Universal Music and has won more than 13 international prizes.

Educational and Professional Affiliations
Contreras has served as Composer-in-Residence with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the soundON Festival of Modern Music, and the Cactus Pear Music Festival. He is also involved with New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program, which promotes racial and gender equity in classical music.

Discography

 * Corazón Azul – Orquesta Latino Mexicana
 * Mariachitlán – Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra
 * Silencio en Juárez – Claremont Avenue Chamber Orchestra
 * Nuestra América 2017-2018 – Cuarteto de Cuerdas Jose White
 * Furia y Silencio – Onix Ensamble