Armando Bayolo (b. 1973, Santurce, Puerto Rico): After initiating his studies in composition at age 16 at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, Bayolo went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in music from the Eastman School of Music, a Master’s from Yale University and a PhD from the University of Michigan. His compositions include works for solo instruments, voices, chamber and orchestral music. Recent commissions include A Kind of Standoff, for the Percussion Plus Project; Colorfields, for the Hamilton College Orchestra, and Kaddish:Passio:Rothko, for the ensembles of the National Gallery of Art. The Washington Post has described Bayolo’s music as “full of lush ideas and a kind of fierce grandeur (which unfold) with subtle, driving power.” Bayolo is the founding artistic director and conductor of Great Noise Ensemble, and has been a guest conductor with the Rose City Chamber Orchestra in Portland, Oregon, and the Lee University Chamber Orchestra in Cleveland, Tennessee. Bayolo has served on the faculties of Reed College, Hamilton College and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. He lives outside of Washington, D.C. Bayolo’s music is available through his web site, www.armandobayolo.com. (CINTAS Foundation Brandon Fradd Fellowship in music composition, 2008-09)