Leonardo Pineda stands at the forefront of a new generation of conductor-curators redefining the classical music experience. As Principal Conductor and Artistic Curator of The Orchestra San Antonio (TOSA)—a resident company at the Tobin Center—Leonardo’s selection for this prestigious role followed a series of exceptional guest appearances, where his leadership inspired prolonged standing ovations and unanimous praise from musicians, administrators, donors, and board members alike. His appointment was made by TOSA President and CEO Paul Montalvo following a unanimous decision—a rare distinction that spoke to the artistic and institutional trust he quickly earned.
Leonardo’s official debut as Principal Conductor at the Tobin Center’s H-E-B Hall featured a high-profile program with Grammy-winning trumpeter Pacho Flores. The performance concluded with a three-minute standing ovation and four curtain calls. Voice of San Antonio praised the evening: "At the helm was conductor Leonardo Pineda. His dynamic and expressive leadership elicited an extraordinary level of nuance and musicality from the ensemble. You could feel the deep connection between the conductor and musicians, and the sense that this was just the beginning of something special."
Leonardo is on the faculty at Bard College, where he serves as assistant conductor and artistic team member with The Orchestra Now (TŌN). He plays a central role in educational partnerships, including with The All City Orchestra, Filarmonica Joven de Colombia, and The Classical Music Institute. His New York debut with TŌN in 2024 received glowing praise from the artistic staff, who called him “a natural on the podium.”
Leonardo’s work is increasingly recognized on the national stage. He made his sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in 2025 with Ensemble Connect, conducting a world premiere work by Carolina Noguera for a program curated by Gabriela Ortiz, and was selected from 250 international applicants for the Carlos Prieto Conducting Fellowship, where he was awarded the Distinction Prize. His expressive clarity and structural command have earned high praise from renowned composers like Miguel del Águilaand Juan Pablo Contreras. Del Águila remarked, “He conducted Conga Line in Hell as if he had written it himself,” and Contreras praised his “impressive control through complex tempo changes.”
Leonardo has collaborated with major figures such as Joan Tower, conducting the Colombian premiere of Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman with the UNAB Symphony, and later performing with her at Bard College in celebration of her 80th birthday. As a student of the late Harold Farberman, Leonardo carries forward a conducting legacy linked to Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, anchoring his bold artistic identity in deep tradition.
His early leadership was evident at just 18, when he founded an international music festival in Venezuela. This initiative not only demonstrated his passion for music but also his vision for bringing people together through the arts. As a result of his contributions to the cultural landscape, he was named a Distinguished Cultural Ambassador by Governor César Pérez Vivas of Venezuela. With a unique blend of musical mastery, visionary curatorial insight, and dynamic leadership, Leonardo Pineda is not only redefining the future of classical music—he is already leading it with passion and purpose. Leonardo is represented globally by pura música.