Paula Piñeiro Benítez
composer and oboist

Born in Havana in 2000, Paula is a Cuban composer and oboist who graduated from the University of the Arts (ISA), passionate about exploring timbres and atmospheres, and with a very particular view on sound phenomena. She is currently active, not only as a composer and performer, being the 2nd oboe of the Alicia Alonso Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatro de La Habana, but also as a young professor at the University of the Arts (ISA) in Havana.

Having participated in festivals and courses such as the Chigiana International Festival & Summer Academy 2024, the Puccini International Opera Composition Course 2024, the International Summer Academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (isa-2022 and 2023); the Darmstädter Ferienkurse 2023 and the 8th Impuls Festival of Contemporary Music, she has had the opportunity to broaden her vision of music and show her works to prestigious masters of composition, including Salvatore Sciarrino and Mark André.

Her presence has also been felt in the Cuban music scene in collaborative projects such as “Cuba 2023” between the University of the Arts (ISA) and the German orchestra TonWerk; at the Havana Contemporary Music Festival 2024, 2021, and in three editions of the Sacred Music Festival (2019, 2021 and 2022).

Her music has been recognized by leading masters at the 2023 Harold Gramatges UNEAC Composition Competition, at the International Summer Academy (isa-2022) of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, at the Musicalia Competition held by the University of the Arts (ISA) (2022 and 2021 editions), and at the 2021 Harold Gramatges UNEAC Composition Competition. She is soon awaiting the premiere of her first opera ¡VEN! in Lucca, Italy, having been a finalist in the Puccini International Chamber Opera Composition Competition 2023-2024.