Uriel Rodriguez (He/Him) (b. 2005) is (to put it quite simply) a man of music with complete dedication and devotion to it.  He’s a new-coming music composer and an experienced classical and jazz trombonist and currently lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

Born from the parents of Mexican immigrants (his father coming from San Luis Potosí, and his mother coming from Colima) and with his father working in construction and his mother working in the home service industry, much to his parents' surprise, he took a different approach, becoming a musician.

Uriel first got his experience in music by joining an orchestra on the violin in 2015, he continued to grow his music knowledge by joining a concert band in 2016 and choosing (which is now his primary instrument) the trombone.

Uriel continued music through the rest of elementary school, where he became the only student in his grade at his elementary school to make the sixth-grade honor band, honor orchestra, and honor choir.

In middle school, Uriel found another life-changing factor in his trombone experience by joining his middle school’s jazz program, this continued to skyrocket his passion for music, and even with the Covid-19 pandemic, he didn't stop continuing his passion for not just trombone, but slowly his main focus in music composition. He continued doing music all throughout high School, participating concert band, marching band, jazz band, show choir show band, orchestra, and choir. Uriel graduated in May of 2024 from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. He currently attends both Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (Full-time) and Drake University (Part-time).

When it comes to his music composition experience, Uriel’s first time meeting a composer (and whom he credits his start for his interest in music composition) was composer Doug Spata, who was in town working with the WDMCS Valley Orchestra Guild on commission for the 5th grade orchestra students with a string orchestra piece entitled “Hunters Moon”. Over the next few years, Uriel started small by arranging music from some of his favorite TV shows, memes, and other music he liked in Noteflight.

In 2021, Uriel, a freshman, was allowed to have his very first work premiered, a string orchestra piece entitled “Journey!”. On April 18th, 2021, the piece was premiered by the Valley Southwoods Freshman High School String Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Michele Senger. Additionally, the piece was conducted by his longtime friend and current CEO and founder of Woodland Performing Arts in Des Moines, Iowa; Jonathan Ruth.

Uriel is currently still pursuing his passion for music composition, Composers he credits for both inspiration and writing some of his all-time favorite pieces are (but are not limited to): (listed in alphabetical order) Beethoven, Doug Spata, Samuel Hazo, Mahler, Michael Markowski, Mendelssohn, Omar Thomas, & Frank Ticheli.

Over the last few years, Uriel has accomplished a few awards, including; the 2022 Jim Coffin Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist, Induction in the International Thespian Society (Troupe #2048), 2022 South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA) District Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist, 2023 All-State participant in the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) Large Group Festival in Musical Theater, and the 2023 VHS Trombone Shorty Jazz Award.

Besides composition and trombone, Uriel has an extensive background in theatre, with experience in acting, stage management, and technical work. As of April 2025, Uriel will have been involved in 17 different productions since 2018. When he’s not involved in performing arts, Uriel is a bartender, likes to golf, and just simply, relaxing at home.