Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Fernanda Lastra is a conductor whose work centers on thoughtful programming, clear artistic direction, and sustained engagement with audiences and communities. She is particularly committed to shaping concert experiences that invite curiosity and participation across generations, and to developing educational and outreach initiatives that place orchestral music in a broader social and cultural context. A dedicated advocate for Latin American composers, Lastra places special emphasis on preserving and amplifying Argentina’s musical heritage within contemporary orchestral life.

From September 2022 to August 2025, Lastra served as Assistant Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the mentorship of JoAnn Falletta. During her tenure, she assisted and covered the orchestra’s full range of classical, pops, and special programs, while regularly taking the podium for the Family Kids Series, Music for Youth concerts, community engagement events, and summer performances. She also contributed to the orchestra’s Artistic Team, where she helped design educational and outreach projects, and served on both the Music Education Committee and the Diversity Council. In May 2025, she made her debut on the BPO’s Classics Series, leading a program featuring pianist Avery Gagliano.

As assistant and cover conductor, Lastra has worked closely with conductors including JoAnn Falletta, Edward Gardner, Giancarlo Guerrero, Maximiano Valdés, Eckart Preu, and Josep Caballé-Domenech. Her experience in pops and special formats includes collaborations with artists such as Aida Cuevas, Jay White, Jeans ’n Classics, Michael Grandinetti, and Troupe Vertigo.

Fernanda Lastra is an active guest conductor with professional and youth orchestras in the United States and internationally. In March 2026, she will make her debut with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, followed by her Mexico debut with the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (OFUNAM) in Mexico City and her Chile debut in June with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Chile in Santiago. Recent engagements include the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, as well as work as a cover conductor with the Minnesota Orchestra.