Xavier Cintrón is a Puerto Rican composer, arranger, and producer whose work bridges European classical tradition, Puerto Rican folk music, and jazz. Deeply rooted in the musical heritage of the island, his compositions and arrangements reflect a commitment to cultural authenticity, orchestral innovation, and the expansion of the Puerto Rican cuatro into contemporary and symphonic contexts. Drawing on his expertise in his primary instrument, Cintrón explores the cuatro’s unique musical language through diverse instrumentations, blending classical form with the syncopated rhythms of Puerto Rican folk traditions and the rich harmonic vocabulary of jazz.
He is currently completing his graduate studies at Berklee Online, pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Business. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he pursued a double major in Composition and Contemporary Writing & Production.
Most recently, Cintrón was commissioned by the Cougar Camerata Symphony Orchestra to compose Salsa Sinfónica, a multi-movement work that will premiere in May 2026 at the Moores Opera House in Houston, Texas. He was also commissioned by the Young Professional Musicians Collective to write After Midnight for a mixed ensemble, co-composed with Louis D. Rivera Gotay. In 2025, he completed his first large-scale orchestral multi-movement work, a 30-minute, four-movement Concerto for Cuatro and Orchestra.
In 2021, Cintrón was awarded the prestigious Juanes Prodigy Scholarship by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, co-sponsored by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes. In 2022, he performed at the Latin GRAMMY Awards with urban artist Nicky Jam. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (OSPR) and the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, invited by Puerto Rico’s Rondalla de Humacao and Maestro Roselín Pabón.
His collaborations include performances with renowned artists such as Juanes, Olga Tañón, Nicky Jam, Farruko, Pedro Capó, Manolo Ramos, Maeso, Pavel Núñez, and Victoria Sanabria. His work also includes musical contributions for Panagiotis Liaropoulos and Matthew Nicholl as a transcriber and copyist. In addition, he has worked as an assistant producer with Marcos Sánchez, and with Edmar Colón as an assistant composer, orchestrator, musical director, and copyist on projects involving artists such as Esperanza Spalding and John Patitucci.
As a composer and arranger, Cintrón is driven by musicality, sensitivity, and authenticity. His work seeks to connect cultures and communities, honoring Puerto Rican tradition while embracing innovation through a contemporary artistic voice.
