We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ivan Enrique Rodriguez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ivan Enrique below.

Ivan Enrique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most profoundly impactful projects I’ve had the privilege to undertake was a commissioned orchestral piece by the esteemed Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Tasked with composing a narrative that encapsulated the journey of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, I found a deeply personal resonance in the assignment. Despite hailing from Puerto Rico, I perceive myself as an immigrant in the United States, which lent profound significance to this endeavor. Taking to social media, I issued a call for narratives from individuals who have traversed similar paths, and the responses I received were nothing short of remarkable. These tales, brimming with resilience and adversity, served as the foundation for both the orchestral score and the accompanying narrative. Crafting a script interwoven with these poignant accounts, I endeavored to capture the essence of their collective experiences. While the project stirred a gamut of emotions within me, it remains a source of immense pride and personal connection. The piece title is “Casting the Dice.”

Ivan Enrique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I firmly believe that a vibrant and interconnected society lays the groundwork for the flourishing of artists and creatives. Thus, the fundamental solution lies in cultivating a thriving social ecosystem from the outset. The existing disparities within our system, whether stemming from educational, economic, or racial inequalities, serve to undermine this ecosystem, thereby eroding opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds. The libertarian ideals embraced in the United States have fractured our sense of community, prioritizing individualism at the expense of collective well-being. This mindset fosters a culture where personal profit and success supersede communal welfare, ultimately jeopardizing the fabric of artistry, which is inherently communal in nature. By poisoning society with selfishness and relentless pursuit of profit, we risk commodifying art and coercing individuals to trade their passions and talents for mere breadcrumbs disguised as sustenance, and hollow illusions of health.

Embracing the notion that each member contributes to the collective fabric, we can redistribute risks and offer support based on individual abilities and passions. In fostering such a supportive and equitable society, we lay the foundation for a fertile ecosystem where artists and creatives can thrive organically.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Navigating the realm of classical music, an industry often resistant to embracing new compositions, I initially perceived it as a zero-sum game. However, over my years of engagement and collaboration with musicians and fellow composers, I’ve come to realize that opportunities abound for everyone provided we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment. In the United States, orchestral programming predominantly features works by dead-white-men composers, comprising a staggering 98.5% of repertoire. By acknowledging this imbalance and working towards reducing it to at least 70%, we can unlock a wealth of opportunities for all composers. This shift would not only necessitate the inclusion of more voices but also create fertile ground for creativity to flourish. Understanding this, I’ve come to see competition as a mere illusion; instead, our collective effort to dismantle barriers and advocate for inclusivity is paramount in harnessing the wealth of opportunities obscured by inertia.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ivanrodriguezmusic.com
• Instagram: @IvanEComposer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivanecopmoser
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanecomposer
• Twitter: @IvanEComposer
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@IvanEnriqueRodriguez?si=D9SkMAYfLHoH6Sba