Gonzalo Alejandro Valencia-Peña
Biography
Gonzalo is a composer, lyricist, arranger, actor, music director, physics teacher, and gamer. He has spent the last 15 years doing all things involving music, theatre, games, and science.
As an actor, some of his favorite moments involved leading roles in TICK, TICK… BOOM! (Jon), IN THE HEIGHTS (Usnavi), SWEENEY TODD (Sweeney), and AVENUE Q (Nicky). As a music director, he has spend the last decade being professionally contracted all around the NJ/NY area. Some highlights include PARADE, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, CABARET, RENT, IN THE HEIGHTS, VIOLET, DREAMGIRLS, GYPSY, and many more! |
As a composer/lyricist, he has spent the last 8 years working with his writing partner (Michael Campbell) on several different projects. Most notably, they have had their material showcased in the form of readings, concerts, and workshops at BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 4TH WALL THEATRE, DON’T TELL MAMA NYC, IRVINGTON TOWN HALL THEATRE, and MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY. Michael and Gonzalo met at NJIT under the mentorship of Bill Gile (Tony Nominated Director of Very Good Eddie)
Currently, he is more determined than ever to bring something new and exciting into the world, they are working on the completely original GOBLINS & GATES, a new musical about a young woman who wants to uphold her late father’s legacy as a great Story Master while running the family’s game store. It’s a story filled with love, imagination, and nerds. All good things! The show was originally developed at MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY in April of 2018. Most recently, a new version/workshop was done in August 2022 at the Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center in West Orange, NJ with Pleasant Valley Productions. Currently, they are finishing up a CONCEPT ALBUM for show. Part one is already available on all streaming platforms.
Lastly, Gonzalo is a proud immigrant and American citizen. He teaches AP Physics at Union City High School. He helps young kids on a daily basis realize that they matter and are worth everything and more. He is happily married and loves playing games with loved ones (and strangers too!). His ultimate plans are to bring a whole new generation of nerds into the world of musical theatre. A generation who only watches YouTube videos and has no clue how wonderful the world of live theatre could be. He has a lot of work to do.
Professional Experience
- Regional
- Concerts/Cabaret
- Education
Regions
- NYC/Tri-State Area
Interested in touring?
- No
Hireable as
- Theatrical Composer (Music and Lyrics)
- Music Director/Conductor (Pianist)
- Music Director/Conductor (Not Pianist)
- Music Assistant
- Singer/Songwriter
- Orchestrator
- Vocal Arranger
- Incidental Music Composer/Arranger
- Music Copyist
- Music Transcriber
- Pit Musician (Keyboards)
- Pit Musician (Other)
- Music Contractor/Coordinator
- Keyboard Programmer
- Sound Designer/Composer
- Audition Pianist
- Actor-Musician
My Primary Instrument
- Piano
My Instruments
- Guitar - acoustic
- Guitar - electric
- Piano
- Synth - keyboards
- Voice
- Other
- Harmonica
Software
- Finale
- GarageBand
- Logic
- MainStage
- Sibelius
Affiliations
- THE DRAMATISTS GUILD
Pronouns
- He/Him