download Photo credit: Marvin Fuchs / HfMDK Frankfurt
Yachari Santiago Gutiérrez Montaño, a Colombian composer and singer, studied at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá and Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Now based in Brooklyn, New York, he is a multidisciplinary artist involved in composing, performing, producing, and ceramic arts. Santiago's compositions have been performed across the Americas and Europe. As of 2026 he is the composer-in-residence for Music at Co-Cath and The Opera Next Door in Brooklyn, as well as an associate producer at New Music On The Point in Vermont. This year Santiago was awarded the first prize at the 10th Annual NYC SongSLAM competition hosted by Sparks and Wiry Cries.
In performance, he has focused on contemporary works, performance art and classical/Latin American chamber music. Santiago is a staff singer for of the following ensembles: MACC ensemble, Choral Chameleon and Empire City Mens Chorus.
Santiago Is currently developing Two independent vocal projects: Duo Bellota in collaboration with Adeline DeBella and Ensamble Peconyé.
"With sound, I am finding shape. I aim to compose spaces of experimentation, communication, and plurality. Sound cannot exist in solitude, a characteristic celebrated in my music."