Ivette Herryman Rodríguez

Ivette Herryman Rodríguez - composer, educator, and pianist - was born in the Island of Youth, Cuba, in 1982 and came to the United States in 2011. As a composer, Ivette is interested in writing music that is soulful, inspired by her Cuban roots, and that combines elements taken from different musical traditions and styles. 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 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 (ISMTA) Composer Commissioning program (2019), a Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition (2015), and a Cubadisco Special Award for her zarzuela Cerca del Río (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 L.A Philharmonic and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Her music has been featured in commercial CDs and a CD/DVD combo released by Neuma Records, Colibrí Productions, Mark Records, and MSR Classics. She is passionate about composing, Cuban music, and music from Latin America. She finds great reward in helping her students thrive, and a big part of her time is spent teaching composition, theory, and aural skills as Associate Professor at the Crane School of Music. She enjoys watching movies based on real life stories and strongly believes in always treating others with kindness.