Juan Luis de Pablo
Enríquez Rohen
Composer · Researcher · Educator
"The final aim of the composer is to create a unique language; the rest comes from serendipity, the love of all disciplines, and the joy of making new discoveries." — JLPER
The Journey
Born in Mexico City in 1970, Juan Luis de Pablo Enríquez Rohen grew up surrounded by the rich cultural tapestry of Mexico — its ancient history, vibrant music, and enduring mysteries. From an early age, he was captivated by questions that bridged art and science: Why do certain melodies move us? What secrets do the stars hold? How did ancient civilizations understand the cosmos?
His childhood was filled with music, curiosity, and the loving encouragement of his family — especially his sister Martha Angelica, who recognized his artistic gifts and urged him to pursue them. When she passed away in 1990 at just twenty years old, Juan Luis channeled his grief into an unwavering commitment to honor her memory through the art form she had always believed in.
After a brief encounter with theater at UNAM's University Center of Theater, Juan Luis recognized that his calling lay elsewhere. With the support of his parents, he enrolled at Laredo Junior College and later transferred to Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he immersed himself in the liberal arts — music, literature, history, geology, religion, and the sciences. This multidisciplinary foundation would prove essential to the development of his life's work.
In 1997, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with two bachelor's degrees in Music Composition and Choral Music. His mentor, composer Timothy Kramer, inscribed in his copy of the Well-Tempered Clavier: "Congratulations on the degree, the first step to a great adventure!"
"I fell in love with multidiscipline — something of extreme importance in the development of my research: the JLPER Theory."
— Juan Luis de Pablo Enríquez RohenThe following year, while studying serial music techniques at Mexico's National Art Center, Juan Luis began noticing striking correspondences between musical intervals and the orbital structure of our Solar System. What started as artistic intuition crystallized, by 2001, into the Tlahuitlayolleohuilli — the circular diagram that would become the foundation of his JLPER Theory.
A serendipitous visit to the Mayan city of Uxmal in 2004 confirmed his discoveries: the ancient architects had encoded the same cosmic sequence into their temples. The number of doorways on each structure matched the numbers in his theory. The Mayans had known.
In 2005, Juan Luis earned his Master of Music in Composition from the University of Houston, studying under Michael Horvit, a former student of Aaron Copland. That same year, he was invited to audition for the doctoral program at the Juilliard School, where his JLPER Theory compositions received favorable reviews from the faculty, including the serialist Milton Babbitt.
Milestones
A Musical Beginning
Born in Mexico City into a family that valued arts and education. From an early age, Juan Luis showed a deep curiosity for music, science, and the mysteries of the cosmos.
A Calling Emerges
Following the loss of his beloved sister Martha Angelica, Juan Luis dedicates himself fully to music — the art form she had always encouraged him to pursue.
Trinity University
Graduates Magna Cum Laude with dual degrees in Composition and Choral Music. Named to "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities."
The Discovery Begins
Studies serial music with Franco Donatoni's techniques. Notices resemblance between interval sequences and the Solar System. Reads Plato's Republic and deciphers the "Music of the Spheres" riddle.
Crystallization
The Tlahuitlayolleohuilli diagram is completed — a 25-element circular sequence connecting musical notes to cosmic bodies. The JLPER Theory is born.
Uxmal Revelation
Visits the Mayan city and discovers the temples encode the same sequence. Collaborates with NASA and the Smithsonian on "El Sol nos une a todos."
Master's Degree & Juilliard
Earns Master of Music from University of Houston. Finalist for doctoral admission at Juilliard; receives praise from Milton Babbitt.
Yucatán Years
Teaches composition at the Escuela Superior de Artes de Yucatán. Visits archaeological sites. Deciphers the Aztec Sun Stone. Writes his 276-page harmony textbook.
Near-Death & Renewal
Hospitalized with COVID-19. Composes two works in the ICU. Experiences mystical visions of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Recovers miraculously.
International Recognition
Doctoral thesis written about his JLPER Theory in Poland. Premiere of "Tepeyollohtli" by the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio. Over 600 works registered with INDAUTOR.
Continuing the Journey
International Prize "De la Creatividad al Piano" in Valencia, Spain. Premiere of "KEPHA" at Agarita Loft. The adventure continues.
Education & Training
Master of Music
Composition
University of Houston, 2005
Studied with Michael Horvit
Bachelor of Music
Composition & Choral Music
Trinity University, 1997
Magna Cum Laude
Franco Donatoni Course
Serial Music Techniques
Centro Nacional de las Artes, 1998
Specialized Studies
Guitar Composition with Pablo Gómez
Interval Theory with Julio Estrada
Contemporary Accordion with Eva Zöllner
Honors & Recognition
- 2025 International Prize "De la Creatividad al Piano" — Valencia, Spain
- 2024 Doctoral Thesis by Annika Mikolajko-Osman about the JLPER Theory — Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music, Poland
- 2024 Special Teacher's Recognition — Tecnológico de Monterrey "Ceremony of Loyalty"
- 2022 Jury Member — San Petersburg "New Melodies" Composition Contest, Russia
- 2021 Akademia Music Awards — Best Classical Music Album in Europe (contribution: "Lament for Antoniou")
- 2016 CINVESTAV Invitation — Conference on the JLPER Theory at the National Polytechnic Institute
- 2005 Juilliard Finalist — Doctoral Auditions; reviewed by Samuel Adler, John Corigliano, Christopher Rouse, Robert Beaser, and Milton Babbitt
- 2005 Luisa Stude Sarofim Composition Contest — First Place
- 1997 International Student Leader of the Year — Trinity University
- 1997 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities