Francis Schwartz was born in the United States in 1940 and grew up in Texas where he studied with the eminent pianist Patricio Gutierrez. He received both B.S. and M.S degrees from The Juilliard School in New York City and subsequently was awarded a Ph.D. with highest honors from the University of Paris. Dr. Schwartz was Dean of Humanities of the University of Puerto Rico where he also held major academic and administrative positions during his 33 year career at the prestigious Caribbean institution.  He was decorated by the French government and awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres. His music is regularly performed around the world and he is particularly noted for his innovative music theater works that frequently incorporate the attending public as active participants in the performance. His works have been performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center in Washington,D.C., Centre Pompidou de Paris ,The Reina Sofía Concert Hall among other prestigious venues throughout the world.