About
Born in Havana, Cuba in 1986, Maureen Reyes Lavastida received her Degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory from the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Cuba in 2005 and her Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the Higher Institute of Arts (ISA) in Cuba with composer Juan Piñera Infante in 2010. In addition she earned her Master’s in Music Composition at Florida International University in 2017 with Dr. Orlando Garcia.
Reyes is a talented and creative composer, dedicated both to the creation of a fascinating body of musical works, and to creating contexts in which music, along with the other arts, can have an impact in a broad range of communities and social contexts. Her professional activity also includes her work as a pianist and professor of piano, composition, and music theory. Maureen has taught at the Higher Institute of Arts, in Havana, and different schools in the United States. In addition she earned a Florida Educator Professional Certificate for Music K-12.
Her composition catalogue includes works for solo instruments as well as chamber music, symphonic, vocal, incidental, and fixed media. Her compositions are influenced by her Cuban roots and have been acclaimed for an excellent realization, immense subtlety, rhythmic vitality and innovative ideas.
Maureen’s music has been played and commissioned by important performers, cultural institutions and Festivals including: Michigan State University and Dr. James Forger, the Department of Electronic Production and Design in Berklee College of music, The International Alliance of Women in Music, Rice University and Dr. Arthur Gottschalk, Musicacoustica-Beijing Festival, Punto de Encuentro International Festival in Spain, Emufest International Festival in Italy, Sonoridades Alternativas International Festival in Argentina, Visiones Sonoras International Festival, Foro Internacional de música nueva Manuel Enríquez, and Instrumenta Contemporánea Festival in Mexico, among others. Reyes has served as Composer-in-Residence in several programs and universities in United States. Notable recognition from various awards includes the 2nd Prize in the 1st UNEAC Competition in Composition “Harold Gramatges” edition: 2009, and the International Composition Competition “Musicalia”, where she won two 1st Prizes and three honorary mentions, editions: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in Havana, Cuba.
Reyes is member of The Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS), Board Member of the International Alliance of Women in Music (IAWM), and National Union of Writers and Artist of Cuba (UNEAC), BMI, among others professional affiliations.