Santiago Kodela is a multi-award-winning classical guitarist and composer whose work spans solo, chamber, and choral music. His compositions explore the outer edges of rhythm and harmony, delving into iso-rhythms, metric modulation, and sophisticated chordal structures, while his performances balance precision and expressive nuance.
Santiago’s work has been recognized internationally with multiple accolades, including a 3rd Prize Bronze Medal for The Distant Shepherd (Navona Records), two 2nd Prize Silver Medal for Euphoria and Bewildered Soliloquies, and a 1st Prize Gold Medal at Ireland’s prestigious Feis Ceoil. His music has been performed by renowned ensembles and artists such as Fidelio Trio (London), Ficino Ensemble (Dublin), the Benda Quartet (Czech Republic), clarinetist Paul Roe, and the Kühn Choir of Prague.
He is the co-founder of the Éire Guitar Duo, a dynamic chamber ensemble dedicated to expanding the classical guitar duo repertoire. The duo has released original works including A Dance Between Lights and Shadows, EQUUS, and ICC Guitar Works. With performances across Ireland and a growing international presence, their recent highlights include sold-out concerts in Dublin and a featured appearance at the Ards International Guitar Festival.
As a composer, Santiago is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Music (DMus) in composition at Technological University Dublin (TUD) under the supervision of Dr. Marco Ramelli. His latest projects include original works, Argentine folk arrangements, and participation in international music residencies. His compositional voice reflects a deep connection to his heritage and a continual push for structural innovation.
Santiago holds a Master’s in Music and Media Technologies from Trinity College Dublin, and a Bachelor’s in Music Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He began his classical guitar training at the Conservatorio Superior de Música “Manuel de Falla” in Buenos Aires. His performance career includes appearances with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and masterclasses with guitarists such as Berta Rojas, Odair Assad, and Xuefei Yang.
Kodela’s recordings are published by Navona Records and managed internationally by PARMA Recordings. He is a recipient of multiple awards from the Arts Council of Ireland, including support for both performance and compositional development.