Juan Bellia began his career in Buenos Aires as a composer-performer when he recorded his first record at the age of 16. From then on, his participation in the international music scene has been prolific composing songs for different artists, as well as original music for theatre, TV and radio. He composed, arranged, produced and performed for great artists of popular music, like Mercedes Sosa and Charly García, among others, for Sony Music and EMI.

Theatre Compositions 

“Los Conserjes de San Felipe” - National Theatre of Spain (Teatro Español, Madrid - 2013). Play produced by the Centro Dramático Nacional (Spain) commemorating the Bicentennial of the Constitution of 1812, and framed in the project La Via del Actor Cherif Laboratory. 

Script by: José Luis Alonzo de Santo.

Directed by: Hernán Gené

Music by: Juan Bellia

• “Mutis” - Hernán Gené (El Umbral de la Primavera - 2016)

• “La Biblioteca de Scardanelli” - Hernán Gené (La Veleta - 2015)

• “Perfume” (Hackensack Cultural Arts Center - 2009)

• “Extranos en la 12” - Theatrical choir (1998-2000)

• “La Conquista del Polo Sur” - Teatro Municipal Gral (San Martin of Buenos Aires - 1999)

• El Circo Ambulante” - Performed in public schools (Buenos Aires - 1998)

• “Alarma Entre las Animas” - Teatro Municipal Gral (San Martin of Buenos Aires - 1997)

• “Satuno de Banfield” - Teatro Municipal Gral (San Martin of Buenos Aires - 1995)

• “Shakespeare Trilogy” - Teatro Municipal Cervantes (Buenos Aires - 1993)

• “Aurora en Copacabana” - Teatro Municipal Cervantes (Buenos Aires - 1992)

• “Treasure Island” - Teatro Parakultural (Buenos Aires - 1992)

“Steam Punks” - Steam Punk is a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy that incorporates technologies and aesthetic designs, inspired by the steam machinery of the nineteenth century, to pose and narrate an alternative reality.

This play, based on Steam Punk characters, is inspired by this genre. In the style of physical and circus theatre, a cast of actors, gymnasts and jugglers interpret the scenes giving them the spectacularity and aesthetics that the genre demands

Television

• “Tardes de Sol” - Theme song, incidental music and 32 songs, and Musical Director of the show. Daily children’s show, channel 2. (1994-1995).

Music from the children`s TV show, “Tardes de Sol”, awarded Best Children’s CD by  the Association of Show  Business Reporters of Argentina.

• “Musicable” - Institutional spots and Musical Director of the station. (Cable TV - 2000)

• "MTV Latina" - Institutional spots. (1996)

• “MTV Unplugged - Charly Garcia” - Arrangements and co-production. (1995)

• “Del Tomate” - Musical Director and composer of theme and incidental music. Weekly comedy show, Channel 9. (1994)

• “El Precio del Poder” - Composer of incidental music. Weekly soap opera, Channel 9. (1993)

• “De la Cabeza” - Musical Director and composer of incidental music. Weekly comedy show, Channel 2. (1992)

• “Cha Cha Chá” - Composer of incidental music. Weekly comedy show, Channel 2. (1991)

Discography

• “Tardes de Sol” - Soledad Silveyra (Música Maestro/Leader Music CD - 1995)

• “Pinocho Árias” - Leader Music LP (1994)

• “No Empujen” - Reverendos Hijos. (Leader Music LP - 1990)

• “Nosotros en tus Entranas/Vas Creciendo” - Mesias (Talent- EMI/ Odeon single - 1973)

• Acariciando el Dolor” - Padre Cesar (Música Maestro CD - 2000)

• “Malevo” - (Manhattan Records CD; Milenio Discos CD - 1997)

• “Alta Fidelidad” - Mercedes Sosa (Polygram CD - 1998)

• “Say No More” - Charly Garcia (Sony Music CD - 1996)

• “Charly García, MTV Unplugged” - Charly Garcia (Sony Music CD - 1995)

• “Estaba en Llamas Cuando Me Acoste” - Charly Garcia (Sony Music CD - 1994)

• “Tropi-Techno, TropiMix” - Pinocho Arias (J.Music LP - 1992)

• “La Dicha en Movimiento” - Los Twist (EMI-Microphon Argentina - 1988)

• “Casa de Arañas” - David Lebón (EMI-Microphon Argentina - 1980)

Jingles

• Club Atlético Boca Juniors - Music for the commercial campaign and 12 songs for a promotional CD - Musical Director of the commercial campaign. (1999)

• Club Deportivo Badajoz - Theme song and music for the commercial campaign. (1998)

• Music for the TV and radio commercials for: Geniol, PAMI, Focus, AMSA, Ika-Renault, Modart, Terabusi, Aiwa, La Morenita, and others. (1988-2000)

• Ritmo Caliente - Daily FM radio show. (1991)

• Con la Boca Abierta - Weekly FM radio show. (1992-1994)

Creation of New Genres

• “Dimensional Tango” - Fusion of tango techno. (1997)

• "Tropi-Techno” - Fusion of Latin music with techno. (1992)

Repertoire Composition

• Priscila - R&B teen singer. (2001-2006)

• Mami - Pop-Rock female solo artist. (1998-2001)

• Spanky - Pre-adolescent Pop band. (1998-1999)

• Bengala - Latin band with a touch of Rock. (1997-1998)

• Reverendos Hijos - Pop-Rock band. (1989-1995)

• Mesias - Acoustic-Rock duet. (1987-1989)

Additional Compositions and Arrangements

Parallel to his career as a composer, Juan has dedicated much of his time and expertise to teaching. In 1991 he organized an arts-in-residency workshop program for Buenos Aires elementary schools that included visual arts, dance and theater, as well as music. Commissioned by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Juan composed an anthem for kindergartens that is currently sung in every official school events by students, parents and teachers. Juan Bellia is currently teaching bilingual classes in New York City public schools.  

He is a licensed DOE vendor.

WORKSHOPS

All residencies are available for in-school, after-school and summer camps.

Percussion

Grades 3 - 12

Goal: To compose and play a percussion piece for a performance.

Minimum duration: 8-10 sessions

This hands-on residency explores a fun and exciting way of creating and performing music collectively. Students learn the basic techniques of percussion using every day objects, and perform an original percussion piece in a culminating event. This workshop helps students find common ground between their thoughts, feelings and ideas, developing the social skills needed to operate efficiently as a group.

* The program concludes with a performance.
* This program makes a connection to the curriculum in music.

Songwriting

Grades 1 - 12

Goal: To compose and sing an original song for a recording and performance.

Minimum duration: 8-10 sessions

Working as a group, each class chooses the topic, words and phrases that express their thoughts and feelings. They choose the melody, rhythms and harmony that suits their lyric best, and learn to sing the song for recording and performance.
This workshop helps students find common ground between their thoughts, feelings and ideas.

* The program concludes with a culminating performance and the production of a CD.
* This program makes a connection to the curriculum in Literacy.

Digital Composition (GarageBand)

Grades 3 - 12

Goal: To compose original music using Mac computers with GarageBand software.

Minimum duration: 8-10 sessions

Note: A computer lab or laptops for each one or two students is required.

This workshop is a hands-on way to introduce students to basic music concepts in a fun and easy way. With GarageBand, students can compose music pieces, even if they have no previous music training.
The residency can also include elements of Song Writing.

* At the end of the residency, CDs are produced for students to take home.
* This program makes connections to the curriculum in STEM.

Special Programs

Grades 6- 12

Goal: To select, arrange and perform popular song classics for a live performance and a DVD.

Minimum duration: 15–30 sessions

Note: This residency requires the selection of participants through an open casting.

This is a unique hands-on program, developed by Juan for Hackensack High School (New Jersey). It is formed by a Percussion ensemble with every day objects and instruments made by the students, a Vocal ensemble, a Brass ensemble, and a Rock Band.

Music Axis also welcomes the participation of other departments of the school community, like the Visual Arts department, and the Wood and Metal Shops. Students are taught to play the chosen repertoire without the aid of sheet music, taking them to ‘interpret’ the music instead of just playing mechanically.

* This residency ends with a culminating performance and the production of a DVD.
* This program makes connections to the curriculum in Music, Literacy and STEM.

Filmmaking

Grades 3 - 12

Goal: To write and produce a film on a topic chosen by the class.

Minimum duration: 10 sessions

Note: A Smart Board or projector is required.

In this multimedia residency, each class writes and produces their own commercial, public service announcement, documentary or short movie using 21st century technology. Through a hands-on experience with digital cameras, sound equipment, and music and film editing software, students learn the basic skills of filmography, and become the cast and crew of the film set.

* At the end of the residency, DVDs are produced for students to take home.
* This program makes connections to the curriculum in STEM.

Professional Development

Goal: To expose the participants to art education techniques.

Minimum Duration: One session of 90-120 minutes

All Professional Development workshops are open to classroom teachers, school authorities, administrative staff, paraprofessionals and parents. In these hands on workshops, the participants are given a crash course of a10 session residency, offering them the basic tools and strategies for teaching Percussion, Songwriting, GarageBand, Music Appreciation or Filmmaking, even though they might not have previous training.

Music Appreciation

Grades 3 - 12

Goal: To expose students to ground breaking artists in their historic context.

Minimum duration: 8-10 sessions

Note:  A SmartBoard or projector is required.

This is an audio-visual residency that presents the evolution of popular music in it’s historic, cultural and social context.
From Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, to Hip Hop and the Alternative music of today, students watch videos of ground breaking artists, andanalyze and debate on what they have seen and heard, making connexions.
In this workshop they will also see the evolution of musical instruments that led to today’s music technology, available to more and more people each day through computers, iPads and even cell phones.

* This program makes connections to the curriculum in History, Geography, Social Studies and STEM.

CONTACT

Thank you for visiting my site. If you are interested in education or composer services, please fill out the contact form below.

Thank You,

Juan Bellia