Leonardo Pineda

Leonardo Pineda stands at the forefront of a new generation of conductor-curators redefining the classical music experience. Recently named music director of The Orchestra San Antonio (TOSA) starting in October 2025—a resident company at the Tobin Center—his appointment followed a series of exceptional guest appearances, where his leadership inspired prolonged standing ovations and unanimous praise.

Mr. Pineda’s official debut at the Tobin Center’s H-E-B Hall featured internationally renowned 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.”

As a teaching artist, Mr. Pineda is deeply committed to creating meaningful entry points into classical music. His work centers on innovation in the concert experience, crafting programs and environments that invite new audiences and foster deep engagement. Eric Booth, known as the father of the teaching artist movement, writes: “Leonardo’s most important contribution is the way he redefines the role of the music director as a modern cultural leader—someone who captivates audiences through both artistry and education. He is part of a new generation of conductors who do not see performance and engagement as separate pursuits. In Leonardo’s vision, they are interwoven—and that is what makes him so essential to the future of classical music.”

Mr. Pineda is on the faculty at Bard College, where he continues his role as a guest conductor for TŌN’s educational partnerships, leading collaborations with the All-City Orchestra, Filarmónica Joven de Colombia, and the Classical Music Institute. In 2025, he made his sold-out Carnegie Hall debut with Ensemble Connect, conducting a world premiere by Carolina Noguera for a program curated by Gabriela Ortiz. He was selected from 250 international applicants for the Carlos Prieto Conducting Fellowship, where he received the Distinction Prize.

Mr. Pineda’s expressive clarity and structural command have earned high praise from composers such as Miguel del Águila and Juan Pablo Contreras. Del Águila noted, “He conducted Conga Line in Hell as if he had composed it himself,” while Contreras praised his “impressive control through complex tempo changes in Mariachitlán.”

Mr. Pineda remains committed to collaborative leadership and artistic curiosity, shaping his work with purpose, openness, and a deep respect for the traditions and communities that inspire it.

Mr. Pineda is represented globally by pura musica.

Leonardo Pineda will conduct TŌN on December 21, 2025. He previously conducted the orchestra on December 15, 2024.

Bio: Aug 2025