Juan Pablo Contreras’ “Lucha Libre!” receives Latin Grammy nomination

Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21), a USC Thornton Composition program faculty member and alumnus, received a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Classical Contemporary Composition category for Lucha Libre!

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra commissioned Contreras to write Lucha Libre! during their 2019-2020 season, when he served as Sound Investment composer-in-residence. Inspired by famous Mexican luchadores, the piece was also included in his DMA dissertation at Thornton.

Contreras’ Grammy-nominated recording of Lucha Libre! was performed by Orquesta Latino Mexicana, a Jalisco-based orchestra he founded in 2021. This marks the composer’s second Latin Grammy nomination, following his nomination for Mariachitlán in 2019.

The 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, which recognizes excellence in the Latin music industry, will be held on November 16 at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla, Spain.