Carlos Cordero

Hola, People! My name is Carlos Cordero. I am a new choral music advocate, composer, hug-giver, and singer with a crazy mind. My passion for new choral music and connecting with others has led me to create meaningful experiences and relationships, including recently writing “Holding Our Breath” with poet Julie Flanders commissioned by ACDA’s Genesis Prize. I love writing music for choirs, which is why I created my brand The Happy Choir. Recent commissions include Chorus Austin, Salt Lake Vocal Artists, Ensemble Companio, Panoramic Voices, among others. I also write for instruments, just less often! My pieces have traveled around the world, including America, Europe, and Asia, allowing me to grow as an artist and collaborate with amazing communities. 

I am currently working as a full-time composer, enjoying the journey of connecting with others through choral music, as well as advocating for choral composers and choirs through The Happy Composer Commission Project. Most of my scores are self-published on my website, The Happy Choir. Hal Leonard, Panamusica, E.C. Schirmer, and Selah Publishing publish some of my scores too.  I am originally from Venezuela, a beautiful country with delicious food where I got to be a choral conductor and music educator at El Sistema. I currently live in Austin, Texas, with my husband, Ryan Heller. I hold an M.M. in Composition from the University of Houston, as well as a B.M. and a Specialization in Composition from Universidad Católica Cecilio Acosta.