Principal Conductor and Artistic Curator | The Orchestra San Antonio
Leonardo Pineda is a Venezuelan conductor whose artistry blends exceptional orchestral training, refined technique, and a magnetic ability to communicate with both musicians and audiences. A product of the renowned El Sistema youth orchestras, Leonardo first found his voice as a violinist before stepping onto the podium—a transition that has since charted an impressive international trajectory.
Acclaimed composer Miguel del Aguila praised him as “an incredible conductor with rhythmic clarity and musical structure that is very hard to find,” and his performances continue to draw standing ovations and critical acclaim. Voice of San Antonio wrote, “You could feel the deep connection between the conductor and musicians, and the sense that this was just the beginning of something special.” At his debut, a three-minute standing ovation echoed through the hall—an emphatic testament to the impact of his expressive, dynamic leadership.
In 2022, Leonardo was awarded the Distinction Prize at the Carlos Prieto Conducting Fellowship with Orchestra of the Americas and OAcademy. This honor led to an invitation to serve as Assistant Conductor in Mexico, where the OAcademy team hailed him as “a deep thinker and musician-leader needed for the future.”
Beginning in the 2024/25 season, Leonardo takes on a leadership role as Principal Conductor and Artistic Curator for The Orchestra San Antonio and his debut appearances this season include performances with Ensemble Connect at Carnegie Hall, The Orchestra San Antonio at the H-E-B Hall, The Orchestra Now at the Fisher Center at Bard College, and the All City Orchestra at the Julian Richmond Educational Complex in NYC.
Leonardo honed his craft under the guidance of Harold Farberman and James Bagwell at Bard College, gaining vital experience with both the Bard Conservatory Orchestra and The Orchestra Now. He has worked closely with renowned conductors such as Leon Botstein, Carlos Prieto, and José Luis Gomez and took part in the 2020 European International Competition in Bulgaria. As a violinist, he has performed under the batons of Fabio Luisi, Valery Gergiev, Marin Alsop, and Leonard Slatkin.
Currently a faculty member at The Orchestra Now, Leonardo also leads TŌNteaches, a teaching artist initiative committed to expanding educational access and musical engagement. Whether in the concert hall or the classroom, Leonardo Pineda’s work is driven by a profound belief in the power of music to inspire, connect, and transform.