Born in 1984, Colombian composer Pedro Garcia-Velasquez initially became involved with music through the study of the violin. At the age of 17, he began studying composition with Harold Vasquez-Castañeda at the « Pontifical Javeriana » University ( Bogota), where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in music .

Having received his undergraduate degree, Pedro studied with Jean-Luc Hervé in Boulogne-Billancourt (France), then, in 2008, he entered in the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP), where he is currently completing his composition studies with Frédéric Durieux. Also at the Conservatoire, Pedro studied music analysis with Claude Ledoux, Orchestration with Yan Maresz and electronics with Luis Naon, Tom Mays, Yann Geslin, Karim Haddad and Yan Maresz.

In search of a new concept for the presentation of contemporary music, Pedro put together the music ensemble Le Balcon in conjunction with Alphonse Cemin, Maxime Pascal, Juan-Pablo Carreño and Florent Derex. With this project he entertains a reflection on musical creation, the concert, the spectacle and the relationship with the public, aspects of his work that crystallize in ensemble programs, concert formats, and compositions written by him. Additionaly, Le Balcon has given Pedro the opportunity to work with composers and personalities like Claude Ledoux, Michaël Lévinas, Pierre Boulez, Kathinka Pasveer. Currently, Le Balcon is in residence at the Singer-Polignac foundation, and Pedro is working on a multimedia project for instrumental ensemble, electronics and video, which Le Balcon will premiere during the summer of 2012 in the Paris Quartier d’été festival.

Pedro is also working in collaboration with the Interscribo contemporary dance company on the creation of a dance/music around texts of the poet Yves Bonnefoy.