Asier Puga, the titular and artistic director of the Enigma Group, trained as an orchestra conductor with mentors such as Peter Stark, Robin O’Neill, and Howard Williams at the Royal College of Music in London, achieving the highest distinctions. Prior to this, he studied with Arturo Tamayo, Manel Valdivieso, and Enrique García Asensio at the Higher Music Conservatory of the Basque Country (MUSIKENE), further enhancing his knowledge by attending masterclasses with maestros like Pierre Boulez (Lucerne Festival Academy), Diego Masson (London Sinfonietta Academy), and Martin André (RCM), among others.
His notable performances include concerts with the Symphony Orchestra of Castile and León, Basque National Orchestra, Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Itinéraire (Paris), Covent Garden Chamber Orchestra (London), Taller Sonoro, Explore Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra of Burgos, Liceu XXI (Liceu Conservatory), RCM Philharmonic Orchestra, RCM Symphony Orchestra, Municipal Band of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Municipal Band of Bilbao, among others. He has performed at renowned festivals and auditoriums such as the Zaragoza Auditorium, Palau de la Música in Valencia, Auditorio 400 – Reina Sofía, Kings Place (London), Teatros del Canal (Madrid), Quincena Musical de San Sebastián, Palacio Euskalduna, Espacio Turina, Fundación Juan March, Guggenheim Museum, among others.
With a strong interest in both symphonic music, vocal and operatic repertoire, as well as contemporary forms of expression, Asier Puga has collaborated with various artists such as the flamenco singer and multidisciplinary artist Niño de Elche, filmmaker María Ruido, composer and sound artist Llorenç Barber, performer Carlos Llavata, and bailaor and researcher Fernando López.
Due to his deep interest in contemporary music, Asier has conducted approximately 70 world premieres in both Spain and England and has worked with composers such as Chaya Czernowin, Nuria Núñez, José Manuel López López, Núria Giménez-Comas, Iñaki Estrada, Javier T. Maldonado, Lisa Illean, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, among many others. Asier has also written various articles on contemporary music and art for different publications and digital magazines.
