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 part of the artistic team 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.”

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 of Táchira state by Governor César Pérez Vivas of Venezuela in 2012. Leonardo 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.