The Latvian composer Santa Ratniece (1977) is considered by many to be one of the most promising young composers in the Baltic region today. She studied music theory at Darzin's College of Music in Riga and finished in 1996. She gained a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in 2002 in composition at J. Vitols Latvia Academy of Music, and a Master's Degree of Arts at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with notable Estonian composer Helena Tulve in 2007.
Music by Santa Ratniece since has been performed by Latvian Radio Choir, NYYD Ensemble, Deutsch-Skandinavische Jugend-Philharmonie, Ensemble Reflexion K, Arditti Quartet and
Nederlands Kamerkoor. She has won several prizes for her work and participated in numerous festivals around the world.