composer | resident artist

IVETTE HERRYMAN RODRÍGUEZ

Ivette Herryman Rodríguez - composer, educator, and pianist - was born in the Island of Youth, Cuba, in 1982. As a composer, Ivette is interested in writing soulful music inspired by her Cuban roots, and that combines elements from different musical traditions. Her music has been described as “absolutely exquisite” and “breathtakingly beautiful” by conductor Kevin Noe. She is the composer of a bestseller piece for women’s choir, and the winner, among other awards, of a 2023 Fromm Foundation Commissioning Grant, the 2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities at SUNY Potsdam, a Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grant (2021), the Illinois State Music Teachers Association Composer Commissioning program (2019), a Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition (2015), and a Cubadisco Special Award (2010).

Ivette feels fortunate to receive commissions regularly by distinguished performers, ensembles, and institutions of higher education in the U.S., and to have her music performed frequently, both nationally and internationally, by highly esteemed performers, including the LA Philharmonic and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Her music has been featured in commercial CDs and DVDs released by Neuma Records, Colibrí Productions, Mark Records, and MSR Classics. She is passionate about composing, and music from Cuba and Latin America. She finds great reward in helping her students thrive, and a big part of her time is spent teaching composition, theory, aural skills and Latin music at the Crane School of Music. She enjoys watching movies based on real life stories and strongly believes in always treating others with kindness.

Upcoming performances:

  • Emigrado for cello and piano. Commissioned by the Bardin-Niskala Duo. World Premiere: Summer 2024

  • EN MI, FAMILIA for symphonic band. Commissioned by Michigan State University. Performances in Fall 2024: Colorado University Wind Symphony and Arkansas State University.

  • Un danzón a mi manera (A Danzon Done My Way) for symphony orchestra. Upcoming performances: Albuquerque Youth Symphony Orchestra (Fall 2024) and the Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra (Spring 2025)

In Development/Current Commissions: 

  • New work for flute and string quartet co-commissioned by the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music and the American Composers Forum. Written for flutist Ráyo Furuta. To be premiered by Ráyo Furuta and Del Sol String Quartet in August 2025.

  • New work for the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, funded by a 2023 Fromm Foundation Commissioning Grant. To be premiered in Summer 2027.