Hailing from the vibrant streets of Havana, Cuba, Bernardo Perez was born on October 3, 1938, to his parents, Jose Bernardo and Raquel Perez. His musical journey began at the prestigious Havana Conservatory, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1958. Seeking further enlightenment, he ventured to Miami University in Florida, where he earned his Master’s degree in Music by 1969. His academic pursuits culminated in a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1972. An architect by training, yet a playwright, composer, and writer at heart, Bernardo's multifaceted career saw him orchestrating plans for the Havana City Hall in 1959, before his talents led him to the United States. There, he crafted designs with Harrison and Abramovitz between 1964 and 1967, ascended to vice-president at Museum Planning Incorporated from 1967-69, and has since been shaping spaces with Joyner/Bernardo from 1969 onward.

Diving into the realm of music, Bernardo penned the opera "La Nina de Guatemala" in 1974, drawing inspiration from a poignant poem by Cuba’s revered poet and patriot, Jose Marti. A year prior, he had unveiled "Sonata for Amplified Piano" and "Canciones Negras," with 1979 marking the publication of his Poemas Misticos. His operatic prowess continued with "Something for the Palace" in 1981 and the compelling "Unavoidable Consequences" in 1983. Among his illustrious creations, "The Child," first brought to life in 1974, stands out as a testament to his visionary artistry, later influencing his historical novel, Silent Wing. The summer of 1981 saw him as the Composer-in-Residence at the Central City Opera in Denver, Colorado. His creative flair extended to the silver screen with the film score "That Night of Love" for Fat Chance. Recipient of numerous accolades, Bernardo has been honored with production grants for "The Child" since 1974. His contributions to the arts are further recognized by his memberships in the National Opera Institute, New York Council on the Arts, and the American Music Center, alongside being named an Honorary Citizen of Guatemala in 1975.

The turbulent events in Cuba around 1957-1958, coinciding with Bernardo's undergraduate years, likely left their mark on him. As Fidel Castro rose as a formidable opponent to the Batista regime, the revolutionary fervor culminated with Castro's forces capturing Santiago on January 2, 1959, effectively ending the conflict. Subsequent war crimes trials saw the execution of 600 individuals. While it remains uncertain if Bernardo directly felt the prevailing unease among his fellow Cubans, his exposure to Cuba's literary giants, particularly Jose Marti, is undeniable. His historical novel, Silent Wing, released by Simon & Schuster in 1998, delves into the turbulent yet fervent era of Marti's life, portraying the struggles for independence against Spanish rule, with imprisonment and exile looming over those who dared challenge the status quo.

Now nestled amidst the serene landscapes of the Catskill Mountains in New York, Bernardo embraces his life as a United States citizen. His debut novel, The Secret of the Bulls, also published by Simon & Schuster in 1996, garnered acclaim as one of the finest first fictions by the Los Angeles Times. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips lent his voice to the audio cassette version, available through Audioscope since 1996. This captivating narrative, The Secret of the Bulls, has transcended linguistic barriers, finding readers in five languages, including Greek.