Today we’d like to introduce you to Iago Rodriguez Paulino.
Iago, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Sure! So, I was born in Spain in 2003, and my musical journey actually started really early. I was only three yeras old when I picked up a classical guitar for the first time. From there, music just kind of took over my life. Over the years, I learned a bunch of different instruments including clarinet, tenor saxophone, and piano, and by the time I was 14, I was playing every day! Along the way, I earned three ABRSM pre-collegiate certificates in guitar, clarinet, and music theory, which felt like big milestones for me back then, and studied with fantastic teachers like Andrew Booth, Rani Heymann, and Liat Alkan-Heymann. They helped me build a strong musical foundation and really encouraged me to explore and push myself. I also had some amazing opportunities to perform with the Guitar Orchestra of the Netherlands and at places like the European Space Agency and the American Chamber of Commerce. Those experiences really helped me grow and get a feel for what being a musician is all about.
The real turning point between high school and college came when I attended Berklee’s Film Scoring Summer Intensive. That experience was eye-opening—it made me realize how much I wanted to focus on composing music for film and media. It was like everything clicked for me in terms of storytelling through music.
In 2021, I made the jump to Boston, to study at Berklee College of Music, which was my dream school.
In my time in Boston, I feel that my life has changed completely. I honestly thought that I was a very ‘complete’ musician before my arrival, but since the day I landed in the US, I have been privileged to learn and absorb more music than I ever thought possible. I have been lucky enough to learn more about jazz, country, folk, and world styles from masters in their craft, and integrate all of that into my compositions.
At Berklee, I have had the chance to grow in ways I never anticipated. I arrived simply hoping to learn how to write for film and television, and I am grateful to have studied those crafts in real depth. I had always been curious about hybrid and electronic music, and being here encouraged me to explore those sounds seriously and begin integrating them into my writing with intention. Working in recording studios and recording full orchestras each week for the Advanced Orchestration for Film class has been one of the most formative parts of my experience. I have learned a tremendous amount from mentors like Claudio Ragazzi and Dario Eskenazi, and I am especially grateful for the guidance of Max Blomgren, whose steady mentorship and thoughtful approach have had a meaningful impact on how I write and collaborate.
Stepping into the world of video game scoring has also been an important chapter for me. Being able to combine my love of gaming with composition opened up a completely new creative space. One of the experiences that truly shaped my time at Berklee was being selected as a winner of the Ubisoft 2025 Challenge. Having my work reviewed by leading industry music supervisors was both humbling and incredibly motivating. I feel fortunate to have had Nacho Gonzalez Nappa as my mentor during this time, and his understanding of interactive and adaptive scoring has influenced my approach in lasting ways.
Beyond composing, I valued the chance to support my peers. Being chosen as president of the Society of Composers allowed me to help create opportunities, foster collaboration, and strengthen a community that has meant a great deal to me during my studies.
In the classroom, I have refined my orchestration and compositional voice under Guggenheim Fellows Larry Thomas Bell and Marti Epstein, and I have grown significantly as a conductor thanks to maestros Francisco Noya and George Monseur. After learning under their guidance, I was honored to have my concert works premiered at the David Friend Recital Hall and The Loft, experiences that taught me a great deal about communication, preparation, and trust in the creative process.
Throughout my time at Berklee, I have met composers I admire and have even had the opportunity to orchestrate music for some of the artists who inspired me early on. Currently, I am working on the score for a film set to premiere at several festivals, with more details coming soon. Above all, I am grateful for the mentors, the opportunities, and the community that have helped shape the musician I am becoming.
Now, I am excited to move forward into my next chapter in Los Angeles, and I hope to bring all the amazing experiences and knowledge that I have acquired in my life, and put it all together in my work here!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My path hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always taught me a lot. Growing up far from my home country of Spain, and away from all my extended family, I didn’t really feel lonely, but I definitely felt removed from my roots, even though I was surrounded by so many wonderful people. When I lost my grandfather at 16, it hit me hard. He was more than just family—he was my mentor, my guide, someone who believed in me from the very beginning and in every moment since. Losing him was devastating. At the same time, his memory became this driving force that pushed me to new heights, even though it was incredibly tough to balance that grief with the pressure to keep chasing my dreams at Berklee. Honestly, some days were really hard.
Then, when I finally got to the US, we were all in the middle of the pandemic. I flew across the world alone, having never even been to Boston before. Suddenly, I had to settle in and learn how to live completely by myself, all while adapting to a new country and culture. It was overwhelming at times, but those challenges helped me grow in ways I never expected, and I see the fruits of that struggle in my mindset and dedication to my work.
Now, when I think about how far I’ve come, I truly believe my grandfather would be proud of where I am today. That thought gives me so much strength and keeps me going, especially when things get challenging. It’s that mix of pain, support and hope that’s shaped who I am as a person and as a musician.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am composer that primarily works in Film/TV, Video Games, and concert works, and I love telling stories through sound. I have come to realize in my time at Berklee that the most compelling music is not just about technical skill, but about how sound itself brings a story to life. Too often, composers are taught to prioritize writing over everything else, but I have learned that what truly moves listeners is how the music sounds, its textures, timbres, and sonic possibilities. I strive to give listeners experiences they have never heard before, whether by exploring new sounds, playing instruments in unexpected ways, or designing electronic textures that serve the story. Every choice I make, from orchestrating an ensemble to blending acoustic and electronic elements; from the smallest instrumental gesture to the overall sonic palette, is guided by what the story needs and how the music can best convey emotion. I consider how each sound will move the listener, reflect character, setting, or mood, and create a world that feels alive and immersive. Sound becomes an active storyteller, not just a backdrop.
My Galician and Spanish heritage, together with my upbringing in the Netherlands and exposure to diverse cultures, has shaped the way I approach storytelling through music. These experiences allow my own voice as a composer to come through, with my perspectives, experiences, and values informing every decision I make. The traditions and rhythms of my roots are a constant influence, and my curiosity about different sounds has encouraged me to explore innovative ways of creating music that feels fresh and authentic. Equally important has been learning from extraordinary mentors, whose guidance has challenged me to refine my craft, expand my palette, and find new ways to translate emotion and story into sound.
I am proud of having served as president of the Society of Composers, where I worked to create opportunities for fellow composers, foster collaboration, and elevate the profile of student composition. That role allowed me to have a tangible impact on a community I care deeply about, while also pushing me to grow as a leader and advocate for creative expression. I was also fortunate to be one of the winners of the Ubisoft 2025 Challenge, which gave me the chance to have my work reviewed and critiqued by some of the most important music supervisors in the industry. Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do, and I am drawn to projects that reflect my passions, my culture, the narratives I care deeply about, and my faith. Much of my music is inspired by God and the Bible, and through my personal compositions I strive to explore and communicate the stories, values, and experiences that matter most to me in scores that are immersive, meaningful, and emotionally resonant.
What makes my work distinctive is the way I integrate voice, sound, and storytelling. I enjoy writing for large ensembles, blending acoustic and electronic textures, and exploring new sonic possibilities when the story calls for it. I approach each project with care, sensitivity, and imagination, focusing on creating experiences that feel immersive and authentic. Ultimately, my music reflects not only the stories I tell, but also the heritage, experiences, and values that have shaped me as an artist, brought to life through sound as much as through notes.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
WOW… not sure that I am qualified enough to be giving advice 😉
On a serious note, the best advice I can ever give to anyone in this industry is to be yourself! The most amazing connections I have made in this industry have been genuine friendships that were established because of authentic connections. I have been so fortunate in my life to meet absolutely amazing people, and I am sure that every single one of us has an amazing story to contribute, and truly fascinating experiences and points of view.
So… if you are looking for a mentor, and looking to make connections, maybe the best way to go about it is not to go out and try to make them, instead, to go ou, meet all kinds of people, and be yourself! You never know who could help you in your career, but you can always make a true friend! Every single one of my mentors has been absolutely instrumental in my development as an artist and a human, and I am grateful that I have been able to connect with them on a much deeper level than just my music. All the lessons I have been lucky enough to learn from them are made so much more meaningful by our genuine relationship, so that is probably the best advice I can give anyone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iagorodriguez.com
- Instagram: @iagocomposer
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iagocomposer
Image Credits
Teddy Kent – Headshot
Rafael Arvelo Castillo – Studio Shots
