João Pedro Oliveira

Since 1980, João Pedro Oliveira has dedicated his career to composing instrumental and electroacoustic music. In 2015, at the age of 55, he embarked on a transformative journey, venturing into the realm of visuals and seamlessly integrating them with instrumental or computer-generated music. This marked a significant shift in his artistic production, representing a new chapter in his creative journey. Subsequently, the majority of Oliveira's works have embraced both visual and auditory elements, with a central focus on connecting sound and image in an organic and coherent manner. 

He has received several international prizes and awards for his works, including the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2023, the Bourges Magisterium Prize, and the Giga-Hertz Special Award, among others. His music is played all over the world. He taught at Aveiro University (Portugal) and Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil). His publications include several articles in journals and a book on 20th century music theory.

João Pedro Oliveira is a distinguished composer and holder of the Corwin Endowed Chair in Composition at the University of California, Santa Barbara. With a diverse background encompassing organ performance, composition, and architecture, João Pedro Oliveira's musical journey has had remarkable achievements and global recognition.

João Pedro Oliveira's educational foundation was established in Lisbon, where he pursued studies in organ performance, composition, and architecture. Driven by a deep passion for music, he furthered his academic pursuits by completing a Ph.D. in Music at the University of New York at Stony Brook.

João Pedro Oliveira has showcased his talent and versatility across various genres and mediums throughout his prolific career. His musical portfolio spans various forms, including opera, orchestral compositions, chamber music, electroacoustic music, and experimental video. He skillfully blends traditional and contemporary elements, creating captivating and innovative compositions that resonate with worldwide audiences.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of music, João Pedro Oliveira has received numerous prestigious international prizes and awards. Among his accolades, he was honored with the esteemed Guggenheim Fellowship in 2023, the Bourges Magisterium Prize, and the Giga-Hertz Special Award, to name just a few. These accolades highlight his exceptional talent and his compositions' profound impact on the contemporary music scene.

In addition to his remarkable achievements as a composer, João Pedro Oliveira has also made significant contributions as an educator. He has served as a professor at Aveiro University in Portugal and the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, where he has shared his expertise and nurtured the next generation of composers.

João Pedro Oliveira's dedication to the advancement of music extends beyond his compositions and teaching. He has also contributed to scholarly discourse through his publications, including several articles in esteemed journals and a book on 20th-century music theory. His insightful writings have enriched the field of music theory and fostered a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances within contemporary music.

The videos that João Pedro Oliveira has submitted for consideration are captivating and thought-provoking creations that transcend conventional reality. These artificial representations explore alternative realms, blurring the boundaries between dreams and reality. Through his innovative use of video, João Pedro Oliveira invites viewers to embark on a journey through imagined landscapes, prompting contemplation and reflection on the nature of perception and existence.