Iván Enrique Rodríguez
Described as “fiery, gripping, lyrical, and eloquent” by San Francisco Classical Voice, Boston Classical Review, and New York Concert Review, Puerto Rican composer Dr. Iván Enrique Rodríguez (b. 1990) creates music that bridges classical traditions with contemporary narratives. His works have been performed worldwide, from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to Harpa in Iceland and refugee camps across Europe, connecting diverse audiences through powerful storytelling.
Rodríguez’s music reflects his deep commitment to social justice, identity, and heritage. A Metaphor for Power, premiered by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under Cristian Măcelaru, examines Latinx identity and equality. His second symphony, Naa Okùnkùn ti Òkúta Dídán, addresses racism and resilience through metaphor, while Casting the Dice, a work for narrator and orchestra featured at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, portrays the harrowing choices of immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees confronting danger to seek a better life.
Recognized as one of Musical America Worldwide’s Top Professionals of the Year, Rodríguez’s honors include the ASCAP Leonard Bernstein Award, ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize, and the Puerto Rican Heritage Ernesto Malave Scholar of the Arts Award. His collaborations span continents, from refugee outreach with the Vision Collective to commissions that celebrate Puerto Rican culture.
A graduate of the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and The Juilliard School, where he earned his DMA under Melinda Wagner, Rodríguez’s works are recorded by acclaimed pianist Laura Downes, clarinetist Eric Schultz, and the award-winning ensemble Choral Arts Initiative, celebrating resilience, identity, and the universal human experience.
