Francisco J. Núñez, composer, conductor, and leading figure in music education, has transformed the lives of thousands of young people of any religious, ethnic, or economic background through participation in the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, a choral program he founded on a mission of diversity and artistic excellence in 1988.  Since then, Mr. Nunez has changed the perception of a children’s chorus, increasing awareness of the ability of young people to rise to unforeseen artistic heights. Mr. Núñez has expanded and invigorated the repertoire for children’s chorus with more than 80 compositions by today’s leading composers through the YPC’s two commissioning programs, meanwhile programming choral music that spans four centuries. He also leads the University Glee Club of New York City, its fifth conductor since the all-men’s chorus was established in 1894. He is sought after as a guest conductor by professional orchestras and choirs nationwide, and is a master teacher. Through his Núñez Initiative for Social Change he is working to expand the YPC model to children’s choruses beyond New York City and is a frequent keynote speaker as a leading authority on the role of music in achieving equality and diversity among children in today’s society. Mr. Núñez has composed numerous works and arrangements in all musical formats and styles for choirs, orchestras, and solo instruments, and is the recipient of an ASCAP Victor Herbert Award. Mr. Nunez was recently cited by Musical America Worldwide as one of 30 “Influencers” for his contributions to the music industry; he is the recipient of NYU Steinhardt’s Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award; and has an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Ithaca College. In 2011 he was recognized with a MacArthur Fellowship.