COntributors

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Strategist | Conceptualist | Composer | Musician | Producer | Cultural Promoter

Currently the director of A.M.V. & Asociados SAC,  Miguel Ángel Flores Espinoza specializes in producing and creating music and multimedia experiences for events and media. Recently, he composed the music for the opening of the Chancay Sea Port and the Juegos Bolivarianos in Ayacucho, Peru, as well as for medal ceremonies at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.  

A passionate cultural advocate, Miguel has received funding from the Inter-American Development Fund to promote tourism in Peru through augmented reality, creating an app with avatars located around the world. He has also served as the Director General for Cultural Development at the Peruvian Institute of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture) and managed production and promotions for ATV, a major Peruvian TV network.  

With a diverse background in composition and production, Miguel Ángel Flores Espinoza has worked internationally, from composing in Tokyo with support from the Japan Foundation to producing in Lima with backing from the Rockefeller Foundation. A longtime musician, he has collaborated with bands, orchestras, and ensembles in Peru, composing for theater, dance, ballet, documentaries, films, and special events.

Independent Writer/Director | Award-Winning Producer | Documentarian

Adrian León is an accomplished independent writer and director, known for his compelling feature films and award-winning work in broadcast documentaries and current affairs television. With a diverse portfolio spanning across genres, Adrian is currently developing three reality-based projects for streaming platforms in the historical thriller, true crime, and paranormal genres.  

In 2022, he produced the found footage horror film The Devil’s Door, released by ITN Studios. His psychological horror/thriller Kin Dread was picked up for worldwide distribution by Indie Rights Movies in 2021, and is now available in over 60 territories. Adrian is also an Executive Producer on The Buildout, a cosmic horror film recently acquired for distribution by Ethos Releasing.

Adrian's talent for storytelling has earned him numerous accolades. His television film Trafficked No More was nominated for an Emmy® in 2015 for "Outstanding Achievement in the Current Affairs Program or Special" and won a 2014 Silver TELLY Award for Informational TV Program. His impactful documentary ONE, about horse therapy for endangered youth, was nominated for a 2016 Emmy® and received a Bronze TELLY Award in 2015. Additionally, his 30-minute documentary Believe Again, covering the tragic Route 91/Mandalay Bay mass shooting, was nominated for an Emmy® in 2018.

With a passion for impactful storytelling and a commitment to bringing vital, thought-provoking subjects to the screen, Adrian continues to push the boundaries of film and television.

Composer | Conductor | Music Researcher

José Quezada-Macchiavello is a distinguished Peruvian composer, conductor, and music researcher, born in Lima on April 19, 1951. He began his musical studies as a child, studying piano, music theory, composition, and history of music with notable mentors including Manuel Cuadros Barr, Hans Lewitus, and Edgar Francisco Pulgar Vidal. He later studied composition and choral conducting at the National Conservatory of Music and earned a doctorate in musicology and composition from the Universidad Católica Argentina in Buenos Aires.

In 2002, Quezada-Macchiavello founded Lima Triumphant, a chamber choir and music ensemble, which toured the U.S. in 2004. He later founded Schola Cantorum de Lima in 2008 and the Interreligious Chorale of Peru in 2023. His conducting repertoire spans from Renaissance to contemporary composers, including Palestrina, Bach, Mozart, Verdi, Stravinsky, and Pulgar-Vidal.

A key focus of his career is the rediscovery of Peruvian Baroque music. Quezada-Macchiavello uncovered 404 previously lost works from the San Antonio Abad Seminary in Cuzco and documented the compositions of José Orejón y Aparicio, a leading Baroque composer in the Americas. His research on these manuscripts was groundbreaking, as they were believed to have disappeared from the Archbishop’s archives in Lima.

An accomplished author and university professor, Quezada-Macchiavello has published four books, recorded five CDs, and served as a music critic for El Comercio newspaper from 1998 to 2012. He is currently the president of the Novus Orbis organization, the musical director of the Mozarteum del Pacífico, and continues to lead Schola Cantorum de Lima and Camerata Lima Triumphant. 

Writer | Storyteller | Composer | Musician

Texas-born Scott Foster Harris is a multifaceted artist whose career has spanned from rodeo arenas to Nashville’s songwriting circles to the international rock and classical scenes. Starting in Nashville, he honed his craft with top industry professionals before making his mark in Los Angeles as the frontman of Zen Rizing and Tracii Guns' League of Gentlemen. His powerful vocals led him to front L.A. Guns, earning international acclaim.

In 2012, Scott relocated to Vienna, immersing himself in classical music, literature, and storytelling. Now, he balances productions across classical and country/rock, with an upcoming self-produced album showcasing his uncompromising artistic vision. A true independent artist, Scott continues to forge a bold, soulful, and electrifying creative path.

Founder & Head of LIMATECA | Heritage Preservation Expert | Cultural Advocate

Architect Larrea is the founder and current head of LIMATECA, a registered nonprofit organization recognized by the Peruvian government, dedicated to preserving and enhancing national heritage. Through collaborations with both the public and private sectors, as well as community organizations, LIMATECA works to restore and add value to cultural spaces, promoting social, cultural, and economic development. The organization’s main focus is on the Historical Center of Lima, a region rich in architectural and cultural significance.

A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism, and Arts at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Larrea has specialized in the construction and restoration of heritage buildings since 1981. From 1992 to 1996 and again from 2003 to 2012, he led the Escuela Taller de Lima, a government initiative aimed at training economically disadvantaged individuals to become skilled restorers. 

In 2013, Larrea transitioned to the private sector but continued his commitment to cultural heritage preservation. He founded LIMATECA in 2016, continuing his dedication to safeguarding Peru’s historical treasures.

Larrea has studied restoration and heritage in both Peru and Spain, and holds a master’s degree in Management of Cultural and Natural Heritage from the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, Spain. He has also lectured on heritage restoration in Chile, Italy, Spain, and Peru, sharing his expertise with international audiences. Through his work, Larrea continues to play a pivotal role in the preservation of cultural identity and history in Peru.

Researcher | Composer | Director | Pianist | Organist | Cultural Administrator

Iván Zignaigo del Pino is a highly skilled researcher, composer, pianist, and organist, with extensive expertise in the preservation and restoration of keyboard instruments. With years of experience as a cultural administrator, Iván has a diverse academic background spanning art, history, musical education, mathematics, acoustics, liturgy, and Gregorian semiology.  

As the current president of the Culture Commission of the Prelature at Juli and the director of the Mensurabilis Project—an initiative he founded in 2007—Iván has dedicated much of his life to the research, transcription, and promotion of Peru’s historical musical archives. His work at the San Antonio Abad Seminary has been instrumental in cataloging and preserving invaluable musical treasures.  

In 2014, Iván established the Latin American Baroque Festival in Cuzco, a festival he continues to lead, showcasing the rich musical heritage of the region. He also actively shares his expertise through his YouTube channel, where he uploads content on music theory, counterpoint, harmony, improvisation, composition, and more, including videos from his lectures, concerts, and his own compositions.  

A passionate advocate for the preservation and celebration of Peruvian music, Iván’s work bridges the past and present, making significant contributions to the cultural landscape of Peru and beyond.

Born in Cusco, Peru, Theo began his musical journey at an early age, studying classical guitar and cello at the Regional Institute of Music in Cusco before pursuing composition and conducting at the National Conservatory in Lima. Over the years, he has built an impressive career as an orchestra musician, teacher, researcher, conductor, and composer, working across Peru and various Latin American countries.  

In 2006, Theo began championing academic music in Cusco by organizing festivals, creating educational projects, and producing large-scale performances. He also established and led child and youth orchestras and choirs, nurturing the next generation of musicians.  

In 2009, he founded the Cusco Symphony Orchestra under the Ministry of Culture, which he currently conducts. Under his leadership, the orchestra has performed over 600 concerts across Cusco and southern Peru, enriching the cultural landscape of the region. For the Bicentennial of the Republic, Theo led several recordings of Peruvian music, further preserving the country’s rich musical heritage.  

Recognized for his tireless work in promoting culture, Theo has received numerous scholarships and awards, solidifying his impact as a key figure in Peruvian music and arts.

Javier Flores Espinoza is a distinguished historian, translator, and editor with a specialization in Andean studies. He holds a Magister in History with a mention in Andean Studies from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). With a deep commitment to education and research, he has taught at Universidad del Pacífico and currently serves as a faculty member at PUCP, where he teaches courses including World History of the 20th Century, History of Ancient and Colonial Peru, History of the Modern World, and Present and Memory: History of Peru.

Throughout his career, Flores Espinoza has been a key figure in the academic exploration of Andean culture and history. His collaborative research has resulted in several influential publications. In 2020, he co-authored Una vida en los Andes: Etnografía del Sur Andino with Mariana Mould, a work that was published by the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Cuzco. In 2002, he worked alongside R. Varón to publish El hombre y los Andes. Homenaje a Franklin Pease (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú-Fundación Telefónica-Instituto Francés de Estudios Andinos), a tribute to one of the foremost scholars of Andean studies. He has also contributed important essays to books such as La añoranza del pasado: Justo Sahuaraura Inca y sus Recuerdos de la monarquía peruana (Fundación Telefónica, 2001), and Arqueología, antropología e historia en los Andes. Homenaje a María Rostworowski (Instituto de Estudios Peruanos-Fondo Editorial del Banco Central de Reserva del Perú-Promperú, 1997).

Beyond his academic writing, Flores Espinoza is dedicated to sharing his expertise through digital platforms. His work can be explored further through his Academia.edu profile and various videos showcasing his insights on Andean history, available on YouTube and Facebook.

With a career spanning both scholarly and teaching roles, Javier Flores Espinoza continues to make significant contributions to the understanding of Andean history and culture, all while shaping the next generation of historians at Peru’s leading universities.

Isabel Álvarez Novoa is a Peruvian sociologist, social communicator, cultural manager, and businesswoman dedicated to the research and promotion of Peruvian cuisine. She is the founder of the restaurant El Señorío de Sulco and a pioneer in the recovery and revaluation of Peru’s culinary heritage. As the creator and promoter of the Congresses of Regional Cuisines of the Andean Countries since 2003, she has played a key role in the dissemination of regional gastronomy. Álvarez is also a founding member of the Peruvian Gastronomy Association (APEGA) and has led research that contributed to the recognition of picanterías and chicherías as Cultural Heritage of Peru. 

She has published extensively on Peruvian cuisine, including Desde los Andes al Mundo: Sabor y Saber, which won the 2005 Gourmet World Cookbook Award. Her contributions have earned her multiple national honors, including recognition as a Meritorious Personality of Peruvian Culture. In 2022, she served as Peru’s Vice Minister of Tourism and continues to advise on regional cultural projects.

Architect | Cultural Advocate | Thought Leader

Luis Andrés Villacorta Santamato is a visionary architect known for his innovative designs and commitment to sustainable architecture. With a deep understanding of both modern aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship, Villacorta blends functionality with beauty, creating spaces that resonate with their environments while meeting the needs of their users.

As a highly regarded professional in the field, Villacorta has worked on a diverse range of projects, from residential and commercial developments to public spaces and urban planning initiatives. His approach to architecture is deeply influenced by the rich cultural heritage and natural landscapes of his home country, while embracing contemporary techniques and materials that push the boundaries of design.

Luis Andrés Villacorta Santamato is not only an architect but also a thought leader in the industry. His work consistently reflects his passion for sustainability, ensuring that each project contributes positively to both its community and the environment. Whether through cutting-edge green design or thoughtful spatial planning, Villacorta’s projects stand as testaments to his skill, vision, and dedication to creating lasting, impactful architecture.