Perez, Justino: - Justino Eustacio Pérez is a proud Latinx composer whose award-winning music can be frequently heard in concert halls and classrooms worldwide. He was born in the small farming town of Porterville, California. Although he started his music journey late in his teens, his passion for music quickly grew, leading him to study music composition at Humboldt State University. He received the prestigious Van Duzer scholarship and was awarded the title of "Student with the Most Individual Success in the Visual and Performing Arts." After graduating from HSU, Mr. Pérez went on to teach elementary and middle school music. Mr. Pérez is dedicated to creating accessible new music for students and frequently premieres works with schools and ensembles worldwide. He is the creator of the Smart Strings method books, which provide a path for all students interested in playing a string instrument. In 2020, Mr. Pérez graduated with a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Northern Colorado. He is the owner and main composer for Prime Game Sound, a company dedicated to composing new video game music and game music assets. His game music can be heard in hundreds of indie video games. In addition to music, Mr. Pérez enjoys writing children's books, running, and playing board games. He is a game developer and owner of Fiesta Family Games, a family-oriented board game company.