Born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1955, VÍCTOR VARELA studied composition with Antonio Mastrogiovanni, electronic music with Eduardo Kusnir and piano at The National Conservatory of Music Juan José Landaeta of Caracas where he obtained a degree in composition in 1987.

Between 1990-94 he lived in The Netherlands. He studied composition with Geert van Keulen at Sweelinck Conservatorium Amsterdam (composition diploma 1993) and electronic music with Gilius van Bergeijk at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. He also got lectures and tuition, among others, from: Ton de Leeuw, Louis Andriessen, Peter Schat, Theo Loevendie, John Adams, and Trevor Wishart.

His catalogue includes vocal and instrumental chamber music, works for orchestra, with electronics and computer devices.

His music has been performed at festivals and events in many countries in Latin-America, USA, and Europe, including major festivals such as ISCM World Music Days, San Juan's Biennial of Contemporary Music, Caracas' Latin American Music Festival, Inter American Music and Dance Festival, De Suite Music Week, II International Festival for Recorder Music "Block flute & Electronics", and the 34th International Horn Symposium.

In Venezuela he has received the National Composition Award in 1986 and 1989, and the Caracas City Municipal Award in 1987 and 1990. He has written works commissioned by the Teresa Carreño Opera Theatre, the Venezuelan Society for Electronic Music, the Swedish Artists Council, Caracas Ensemble, STIM, and The Royal Swedish Concert's Institute. His music has been broadcast by the National Radios of Venezuela, Spain, Sweden, and Radio Hilversun. Some of his works have been premiered by soloists such as Luis Julio Toro, Jaime Martínez, Harry Sparnaay, Annelie de Man, Joan Izquierdo, Marieke Koster, Lisa Ford, Anders Jonhäll, Magnus Kjelsson, and ensembles such as Nova Música, Nieuw Slagverkgroup Amsterdam, Gageego!, Dufy Kwartet, Bernardel Stringquartet, Cuarteto Sur, Duo Contemporain, and Points of Contact.

Víctor Varela was teacher of harmony and orchestration at the National Conservatory of Music "J.J. Landaeta" (1983-90) and music analysis at IUDEM (1987-90), both of Caracas. He was member of the Venezuelan Society for Electronic Music, and has contributed articles of analysis to magazines such as Música y Ensayo of Caracas and Amsterdam Sur of Amsterdam.

Since 1994 he has lived and worked in Sweden as a freelance composer. He has represented his country at the ISCM festivals in Stockholm and Copenhagen. In Gothenburg, he has been member of the association Levande Musik's board, where he has produced concerts of Latin-American chamber music. He also has worked for the association Musik i Blekinge and the Gothenburg Opera House.