Fernanda Lastra holds the position of Assistant Conductor and Diversity Fellow for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the mentorship of JoAnn Falletta. Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Lastra is a passionate and creative conductor recognized for her artistic leadership and engaging performances.

Committed to featuring diverse voices in concert halls, Lastra is an advocate for Latin American composers, particularly those from Argentina. She is equally dedicated to creating well-balanced and diverse programs that enhance the overall concert experience. In addition, she is passionate about community engagement and music education, believing in the transformative power of music to unite, heal, and develop emotional intelligence.

In 2022, Lastra was appointed Conductor Diversity Fellow at the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and was promoted in 2023, accompanied by a one-year contract extension. In this role she serves as assistant conductor, cover conductor, and main conductor for the BPO Family Kids series, Music for Youth concerts, and community engagement performances. Lastra also serves as a member of the BPO’s artistic team, the BPO’s music education committee and the BPO’s Diversity Council, among other responsibilities.

As an assistant and cover conductor, Lastra has worked alongside esteemed conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Giancarlo Guerrero, Maximiano Valdés, Keith Lockhard, Mélisse Brunet, Gerard Schwarz, Mei-Ann Chen and Joseph Caballé-Domenech, among others. Additionally, she has collaborated with artists such as Aida Cuevas, Jay White, Jeans’n Classics, Michael Grandinetti, and Troupe Vertigo, for Pops and Special concerts. In May 2025, Lastra is scheduled to make her debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in the Classics Series featuring pianist Avery Gagliano.

Apart from her leadership role with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Lastra regularly collaborates as a guest conductor with professional and youth orchestras. Past performances have involved engagements with the South Bend Symphony, the Walla Walla Symphony, and The Birch Festival, where she collaborated with musicians from the Boston Symphony.

Upcoming collaborations include engagements with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Portland Symphony in Maine, the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra.