Alexander John “AJ” Villanueva emerges as a Filipino composer embodying a passion for musical innovation and cross-cultural dialogue. Recently granted a composer residency by Ensemble Recherche in Freiburg, Germany (2021-2022; 2023-2024), Villanueva’s recognition underscores a commitment to pioneering musical expression.
His commissioned works have been performed by International groups and artists like Ensemble Receherche (Freiburg, Germany), Ensemble Hand Werk (Cologne, Germany), Ensemble Mosaik (Berlin, Germany), Ensemble Chambre d’Ecoute (Stuttgart, Germany), Ensemble Studio C (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Hanoi New Music Ensemble (Hanoi, Vietnam), Ensemble Kyai Fatahillah (Indonesia), Coro Cantabile (Manila), Manila Chamber Singers (Manila), Metro Manila Concert Orchestra (Manila), Ripieno Ensemble (Manila).
His honors are a prize in the Young Composers of Southeast Asia of the Goethe-Institut in Bandung (2011, for Threnody IV) and a finalist in the competition for young composers of the Asian Composers League in Tōkyō (2014, for 5 Little Pieces for 2 Cellos).
He taught music courses at various universities and colleges before coming to SBC. He also served as the music director and youth pastor of Christian Bible Church of Las Pi?as, where he has produced songs for praise and worship in Tagalog.
He is currently a finishing his PhD in Music from the University of the Philippines College of Music where he researches on Filipino identity in new compositions.