Wendy Carlos, born Walter Carlos, is a musical prodigy who started playing the piano at the age of 6, and by the age of 10 had her first original composition A Trio for Clarinet, Accordion, and Piano. While attending and graduating with an M.A. in Music from Colombia University, Carlos studied with pioneers of electronic music like Vladimir Ussachevsky, Otto Luening, and Jack Beeson.

She won 3 Grammy Awards a year after electronically reconstructing Switched on Bach. While transitioning to female in 1972 Carlos produced the soundtracks for Clockwork Orange; the book we all have read in high school. She continued to add to her discography with The Shining, and Walt Disney’s Tron.

At the age of 39 Wendy Carlos decided to announce herself in a Playboy interview. She told Playboy, “I was about five or six…I remember being convinced I was a little girl, much preferring long hair and girls’ clothes, and not knowing why my parents didn’t see it clearly.”

Wendy Carlos’ unique musical mind has inspired many LGBT artists who will be performing at San Diego Pride Music Festival. Many may not know, but she is responsible for taking electronic music mainstream long before Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Deorro, and “EDM” where even born.

Photo source: synthmuseum.com