VALENZUELA, Cynthia

Cynthia Valenzuela (b. 1963) is a Mexican composer, harpist, and pianist born in Mexico City on 23 August 1963. She began her musical studies as a pianist before training in harp and composition at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico. She later continued her studies in composition and harp at the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Master's degree in Music Composition from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), studying with composers such as Mel Powell and Leonard Stein. An award-winning composer and performer, Valenzuela has received honors including the BMI Young Composers Award, the SESAC Composition Award, FONCA Young Creators grants, and an MTV Short Film Award. In addition to her concert works and recordings, she is recognized for her innovative work with the Celtic harp, including the development of the world's first aquatic harp and the Guinness World Record-winning largest harp.