Budding Kiwi composer, Justin Villaflores, has been selected as Auckland Philharmonia’s 2026 Young Composer-in-Residence, a sought-after residency programme that supports young New Zealand composers on their path to a professional career.
The Auckland composition student brings to the position an innovative approach that reflects his exploration and involvement in experimental music-making, performance and improvisation. The talented composer, sound designer and multi-instrumentalist is currently in his final year of studies for a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Auckland, specialising in composition, and adds the residency to an already impressive list of achievements in the field.
Auckland Philharmonia’s Young Composer-in-Residence programme is a partnership between the orchestra and the University of Auckland, which supports New Zealand tertiary students to launch their professional careers as composers. The residency is coveted by student and emerging composers as it provides them with the rare opportunity to hear their works performed in concert settings by a professional orchestra. Such an experience has often proved to be a valuable stepping stone for early career composers looking to build their portfolio.
Villaflores composes for a wide variety of genres and contexts, including orchestral performance, video games, short films and commercials, and is already establishing himself as a rising composition star — winning first prize in the NZTrio Composing Competition, Play Our Preludes, Protel Music Technology Innovation Prize, Lilburn Trust Composition Award, Llewelyn Jones Prize, Indie Film Music Contest, and the Cloud Road Music Production Competition. His compositions have also been selected to be performed and workshopped in collaboration with professional ensembles, and he is a current SPLICE Fellowship composer, where his work will premiere internationally at the University of Tulsa and the Hartt School of Music.
Through his compositions, the young composer aspires to bring to light new and underappreciated fusions, and incorporate a variety of multimedia, cross-cultural and cross-genre practices. One of his larger scale goals is to share overlooked social injustices and his personal experiences in his work through an artistic process that values freedom of expression in all art forms.
Under the mentorship of professional New Zealand composers, Villaflores will compose three new works during the residency: two full orchestral works and a piece for chamber ensemble. They will be performed by Auckland Philharmonia musicians at Learn & Participate events in 2026, including the Orchestral Summer School finale performance, a Tunes 4 Tamariki concert, and a bespoke chamber ensemble opportunity suited to Villaflores’ career direction.
Villaflores is excited to commence the residency and see his first piece performed in January.
“"I'm honoured to have been selected as the next Young Composer-in-Residence for the Auckland Philharmonia. It's a privilege to be able to work with such an amazing orchestra and learn from accomplished composers. I look forward to seeing what transpires throughout this collaboration. My many thanks to Auckland Philharmonia and the Learn & Participate team for committing their time to spotlight young composers and foster new music!" he says.
Support from the Freemasons Foundation underpins the Young Composer-in-Residence programme and the opportunities for aspiring professional and tertiary students generated through this University of Auckland and Auckland Philharmonia partnership.
This residency is offered as part of Auckland Philharmonia’s Learn & Participate programme, which aims to give Aucklanders access to opportunities and experiences that inspire a connection with orchestral music. The Learn & Participate programme connects the orchestra’s professional musicians with schools, individuals and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau through events, concerts, and workshops that involve over 20,000 young people and adults each year.
