On December 6, 2025, the Ward Recital Hall at The Catholic University of America resonated with Puerto Rican pride and artistic excellence during a special concert honoring Dr. Carlos Alberto Vázquez, one of Puerto Rico’s most distinguished and internationally acclaimed contemporary composers.

Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Dr. Vázquez began his academic journey at the University of Puerto Rico and later pursued advanced studies at the University of Pittsburgh, New York University, and the Sorbonne, where he earned his doctorate. Since 1972, his music has been performed throughout the Americas and Europe, and he has been featured in major international contemporary and electroacoustic music festivals. His work has been commissioned by renowned institutions such as the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the Organization of American States, the Casals Festival, and Mexico’s CMMAS. A multimedia work composed during his residency at LIEM in Madrid premiered at the 2000 International Contemporary Music Festival of Alicante, Spain. [1]

The concert was organized by the Latin American Music Center, in collaboration with The Catholic University of America, which graciously provided the venue, and Círculo de Puerto Rico, Inc. (CPRI). CPRI helped make the event possible through its 2025 Cultural Activities Enrichment Fund, a campaign dedicated to supporting Puerto Rican and Hispanic artists and cultural initiatives. This crowdfunding campaign raised $1,950, with an additional $1,000 contribution from CPRI. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, the concert was free and open to the public. Special thanks to EMD Sales, Inc., Arctic Lila, and Pro Active Control Security LLC of Puerto Rico for their valuable support.

We also celebrate the outstanding musicians who brought Dr. Vázquez’s works to life: Megan Sie, Matthew Villalobos, Linya Luo, Mikayla Tellado, Yu-Chen Shih, Amanda Moraes, Hsin-Yu Chen, Jason Guerrero, Cristina Lucio-Villegas, Liuba D. Pupo Ortega, and Anamer Castrello, a gifted mezzo-soprano from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

This memorable evening not only honored Dr. Vázquez’s remarkable contributions to music but also highlighted the success and cultural impact of Puerto Ricans in the arts. Through events like this, Círculo de Puerto Rico, Inc. continues to reaffirm its mission to promote cultural enrichment and strengthen the Puerto Rican presence in the DMV area and beyond.

Citations

[1]: Vázquez, Carlos Alberto. “BIOGRAPHY.” CarlosAlbertoVazquez.com, https://www.carlosalbertovazquez.com/bio. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.