AJ Francisco (b. 2000) is a Filipino-American composer who blends the styles and concepts of traditional Filipino music with narratives that engage audiences in new perspectives. By tapping into the instrumentation, sound world, and community-based playing of the various eras of Filipino music, she spotlights experiences that are meaningful to her and communities she is part of, from aspects of her Filipino heritage – such as cultural traditions, mythology, and sociopolitical experiences – to personal subject matter that challenges audiences to reflect on themselves and the world around them, asking listeners to reminisce about what it means to be human.

Francisco is a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Fund honorarium, and has had works performed by several ensembles across the United States, including the Rhythm Method, Contemporaneous, Hub New Music, Dither, the New York University Percussion Ensemble, and the Emporia State University Percussion Ensemble. Her music has also been featured at CAMPGround international new music festival in Tampa, Florida; the Global Cello series in Louisville, Kentucky; and Bled Contemporary Music Week in Bled, Slovenia. She holds a Master’s in Music Theory and Composition from New York University, as well as a Bachelor’s in Music Composition from Old Dominion University.