Carlos Puig-Hatem (b. 1968, Havana): Puig-Hatem began studying music at the age of seven and composing jazz at the age of 15. Two years later, he graduated from the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory as trumpet professor and later received a bachelor in music, with a specialization in composition from the Instituto Superior de Artes in Havana. Puig-Hatem worked as conductor of the Children Symphony Orchestra of Havana from 1992 to 1994 and as director in the composition department at the Instituto Superior de Arte. He considers the Cuban composer Alejandro García Caturla to be his strongest influence when writing. In 2010, Puig-Hatem received a Master of Music degree from the University of Miami. He lives and works in Miami. (CINTAS Foundation Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition, 2007-08)