Hear Me Roar: Meet the Composers
Da Capo’s Hear Me Roar concerts on March 1 & 2, 2025 presents a full spectrum of composers whose body of work is celebrated by many around the world: Reena Esmail, Joan Szymko, Shireen Abu-Khader, Zanaida Stewart-Robles, Liv Grace, Robin Estrada, Mari Esabel Valverde, B.E. Boykin, Florence Price, Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, Tara Mack, and Rosephanye Powell. Completing this lineup are Austin-based composers Evan Blaché, Laura Mercado-Wright, James Tecuatl-Lee, and Steven Sérpa whose works we have commissioned. Get to know them below!
Evan Blaché is a non-binary choral composer and choral singer based out of San Marcos, Texas.
Never known to mince words, Evan has composed a lot of work combining the classical style with topics of social justice.
They are currently in the Masters program at Texas State University for their M.M in Music Composition while singing in the Texas State University Chorale under the direction of Joey Martin and studying composition with Michael Ippolito.
While at Texas State, Evan has been commissioned by various groups all over the United States, including Conspirare, Vocem Cordis, and Voices of the New, and the Unsung Collective.
Laura Mercado-Wright has been singing professionally for more than 20 years and began composing in 2020. An active entrepreneur, Laura founded the Tinsel Singers, a vocal jazz caroling company, and co-founded VAMP, an all-female vocal quintet. Laura joined the voice faculty at Austin Community College in 2023, and also maintains a private voice studio.
Upcoming engagements include performances with Tenet Vocal Artists in NYC, and world premieres with Conspirare, Kamratōn Ensemble in Pittsburgh, and VAMP. www.lauramercadowright.com
Steven Sérpa is a composer and music producer based in Austin, TX, writing for and collaborating with ensembles and performers around the world. He co-directs Tetractys New Music and produces the annual Here Be Monsters festival of indie-classical music here in Austin. He lives with his partner, their 3 rescue dogs, a family of feral cats, thousands of honey bees, and a garden on their almost-8-acre homestead. www.stevenserpa.com
James Tecuatl-Lee writes music he’d like to hear, often serious, always with an element of play. Making music accessible to a wide and diverse audience is important to him. He tries to write with a basic musical vitality that all can appreciate, as well as the nuance and innovation that will allow even experienced listeners to continue finding meaning upon further listenings. He’s had the privilege of writing for Ensemble Mise-En, the Del Sol String Quartet, SF Choral Artists, Sacred and Profane Chamber Chorus, the Kahlo Quartet, Panoramic Voices, Inversion Ensemble, as well as many local artists, family, and friends.
