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Felipe Pérez Santiago is a Mexican composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on August 28, 1973, in Mexico City, he grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to music from a young age. He began playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the guitar and the bass. Pérez Santiago studied composition at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, where he received his Bachelor's degree in 1997. He then went on to pursue a Master's degree in composition at the University of Michigan, where he studied with William Bolcom and Michael Daugherty. He also studied with Mario Lavista at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Pérez Santiago's music is characterized by its use of Mexican folk music and its incorporation of electronic elements. He has been influenced by the music of composers such as Stravinsky, Ligeti, and Xenakis, as well as by the Mexican composer Carlos Chávez. One of Pérez Santiago's most notable works is his opera "El árbol de la vida" (The Tree of Life), which was commissioned by the National Opera Company of Mexico and premiered in 2011. The opera tells the story of a family in a small Mexican town and explores themes of love, death, and the cycle of life. The music incorporates elements of Mexican folk music, including the use of the marimba and the jarana, a small guitar-like instrument. Another notable work by Pérez Santiago is his "Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra," which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and premiered in 2009. The concerto features the marimba, a percussion instrument that is native to Mexico and Central America, and incorporates elements of Mexican folk music. Pérez Santiago has also composed music for dance, including the ballet "El jardín de las delicias" (The Garden of Delights), which was commissioned by the National Dance Company of Mexico and premiered in 2016. The ballet is based on the painting of the same name by Hieronymus Bosch and explores themes of temptation, sin, and redemption. In addition to his work as a composer, Pérez Santiago is also a professor of composition at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in the Fine Arts category in 2018. Overall, Felipe Pérez Santiago is a talented composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His use of Mexican folk music and incorporation of electronic elements have helped to create a unique and distinctive sound that sets him apart from other composers. His works, including his opera "El árbol de la vida" and his concerto for marimba and orchestra, have been well-received and have helped to establish him as one of Mexico's most important contemporary composers.

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