Noraliz Ruiz Caraballo

Noraliz Ruiz Caraballo holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology-Musicology from Kent State University. Her research focuses on the Puerto Rican lutes: cuatro, tiple and bordonúa; particularly in the continuity and change of the instruments’ tradition and performance practice. She has also conducted research about underground music scenes in Puerto Rico and the production of indie pop, electronic and new music in the archipelago.

Noraliz has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the popular music program of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. She is a member of the electronic indie band Balún and has performed in music festivals in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. In 2020 the band Balún was featured on NPR Tiny Desk, where Noraliz can be seen playing the Puerto Rican cuatro. She is also a co-founder of the children’s music group Acopladitos.