We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fernanda Lastra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Fernanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

During the middle of the pandemic, when the world was coping with the challenges of lockdowns and remote work, I found myself immersed in the process of writing my dissertation. As someone with a deep passion for promoting Argentinian music, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to delve into the topic for my dissertation. With limited access to physical events and performances, I decided to take a different approach and create a series of interviews with Argentinian composers.

In June 2020, I took the initiative to collaborate with a renowned classical music magazine based in Buenos Aires called Musica Clasica BA. Recognizing the potential of this partnership, I reached out to them to propose the idea. To turn this vision into reality, I enlisted the help of close friends who possessed the technical expertise required to create online content. Their valuable contributions ensured that the series could be launched successfully a few months later, utilizing platforms such as Facebook Live, Zoom, and YouTube.

Compositores.AR holds a special place in my heart because it represents only a fraction of the immense potential it holds. The possibilities for growth and expansion are limitless. Through this project, I was able to provide a platform for five talented living composers to share their insights and discuss their works in real time. As conductors, we typically focus on studying the works of deceased composers, so this experience was truly invaluable. It was also a mutually beneficial opportunity, as it allowed them to gain broader exposure and recognition, while I felt privileged to contribute to their journey and assist in showcasing their talent to a wider audience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I believe in art as an agent of transformation and positive change. As a conductor, my goal is to create an environment where music can fulfill its main purpose: enhancing the quality of our lives. Driven by curiosity and motivation, I have been dedicated to music since an early age, considering it one of the most valuable gifts life has offered me.

My introduction to music came at the age of three when my father, a music lover, taught me songs and poems that I would memorize as a playful game. A few years later, I asked to study piano and ballet, beginning my artistic journey full of joy and enthusiasm.

After witnessing the incredible impact of music in my own life, I strongly believe in its profound effect on us as emotional and expressive citizens of the world.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am the first and only professional musician in my family. While I received love, support, and encouragement from my parents to pursue a music career, finding my own path as a female conductor in South America twenty years ago was challenging. Growing up in Argentina, it was rare to see a woman conducting an orchestra, and as a young conducting student, I lacked mentorship and role models that could have inspired me. Despite these obstacles, I remained resilient, fueled by my passion and determination.

Back in Argentina, I conducted choruses, youth orchestras, and ensembles of all sizes with unwavering dedication. I even established and managed my own ensemble for four years. I participated in numerous music festivals, honing my skills under esteemed conductors, attending rehearsals, and taking private lessons and workshops. However, my career wasn’t aligning with my aspirations. In 2016, I made the bold decision to leave my job as a university assistant professor, abandon my ensemble, and move to the United States to continue my personal and professional growth. In the States, I pursued master’s and doctoral degrees while working as a conductor and educator. Today, I am grateful for the experiences, people, and opportunities that have shaped my journey.

Currently, I serve as the Assistant Conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, a prestigious organization of which I am immensely proud to be a part. I have the privilege of working alongside JoAnn Falletta, one of the iconic figures in the conducting world, a distinguished maestro, and a visionary leader. As an established woman conductor and an extraordinary mentor, she fills the role model gap I experienced during my student years and continues to be a constant source of inspiration for me. I collaborate daily with talented musicians and dedicated colleagues, sharing important core values such as community engagement, inclusiveness, and creativity. Through this beloved organization, I have found the means to fulfill my mission of creating a positive impact in people’s lives through the power of music.

Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that my initial circumstances could have hindered my path to a professional career. However, my resilient spirit and unwavering passion for music propelled me forward. Yet, passion alone does not guarantee success. So, what was the key to keeping the flame alive? For me, it was taking action—action that involved significant moments such as relocating from my hometown to another city or even from my home country to another country. Beyond those specific instances, there were other actions that accompanied my entire journey. Let me highlight a few, without a specific order:

Building self-confidence through purpose has been one of these actions. Discovering my mission was crucial as it helped me navigate the challenging environment and counterbalance the pressure and limited opportunities that often exist. Self-confidence does not manifest overnight. It requires resilience, patience, commitment, determination, and self-kindness as it evolves throughout life.

Another action that I continually engage in is creating projects that teach me about my strengths and weaknesses. I have embarked on numerous projects from scratch and I continue to do so, as creation keeps me alive. I enjoy bringing something new into existence, something that contributes not only to the field but also to the world. The challenges lie in overcoming our fears and external obstacles. Each time a new project comes to fruition, I receive a surge of energy and reaffirmation.

Additionally, fostering relationships and expressing gratitude for the assistance I receive is important for me. I acknowledge that everything I achieve is in part due to the help I receive from others—people who also inspire and support me in many ways.

Lastly, actively seeking inspiration is something essential in my life. Being self-motivated to pursue the work we desire is incomparable. I constantly seek sources of motivation, not only from the field of music. I draw inspiration from creators in various areas, individuals who empower others, dreamers, doers, and everything in between. I am grateful to all of them, even if we have never met.

In conclusion, taking action, even in the face of fear, enabled my growth as an artist, as a person, and as a conductor. It has built resilience and propelled my career forward in various ways, always seeking new opportunities to evolve as an artist and striving for professional and artistic excellence. Today, my aim is to make a positive impact in the music industry by promoting accessibility, equal opportunities, and amplified voices through an inclusive concert repertoire.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey? For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I see a symphony orchestra as a unique space for collaboration, connection, and positive impact within a community. It inspires, educates, and unites people from all walks of life through unforgettable artistic experiences, creating shared memories with friends and family, fostering a sense of belonging and pride, and building a stronger and more vibrant community for generations to come.

Besides making music, one of the most enjoyable creative processes I engage in is tailoring musical experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds through the act of programming. By designing concert programs, I play an active role in connecting music with audiences, showcasing the voices of new generations of composers, including those from diverse backgrounds, and bringing beloved works from all times to life.

An important part of my work as a conductor and as a committed artist is to feature inclusive, dynamic, and engaging repertoire in my concert programs. I aim to curate musical experiences where audiences feel recognized, welcomed, and can enjoy and explore the world of sound and the power of music. But what is music? Why is it so important? Music can heal, reconcile, unite; it can marvel us, provide comfort, joy, and adrenaline. It helps us express and discover our emotional world, builds bridges as it forces us to listen attentively, and aids in better understanding others. It can also teach us how to connect with ourselves and with others. In conclusion, music expresses our humanity without words.

Through my concerts, I am committed to promoting and increasing the representation of composers from historically underrepresented groups, including artists who have been overlooked in concert halls for various reasons. I have a special interest in Latin-American composers, particularly those from Argentina, as well as composers from diverse backgrounds. This requires hours of research and listening to new works, as well as thoughtful consideration of how to combine all the elements to create a concert experience that transcends the concert hall. Each concert experience is different and must be created with a particular audience in mind.

For example, designing concerts for the younger generations is an integrative process that also involves music education. Considerations such as attention span, storytelling, and the speed and pace of the music come into play to create something unique that they can enjoy and cherish as a warm memory. Through my programs, I hope to open doors for young audiences to discover and experience music in different ways. Sometimes it involves teaching music concepts, while other times it simply entails attentive listening. For adult audiences, considerations vary, and the challenge lies in finding the balance between the favorite pieces of all times and new repertoire. To help with that task, I thoroughly enjoy creating programs around themes or topics that stimulate imagination. Creating programs is storytelling, and music is storytelling. Ultimately, our lives are based on storytelling. Once again, music expresses our humanity.

One rewarding aspect of my creative work is realizing the world of possibilities. There are countless combinations, options, and opportunities for learning and growth. As musicians, we are lifelong learners. It is impossible to know or address everything that has been written—it’s simply impossible. So, the journey of discovery is ongoing, and personally, I feel enriched by it. I consider myself fortunate that my life will not be long enough to cover all the material available to us.

However, the most incredible rewarding experience in my creative process is witnessing the response of the audience. When I see people enjoying my concerts and understanding my explanations, it makes me feel that I am making a small contribution to their lives. Observing people learn something new, witnessing how music positively affects their mood, or even seeing how it alleviates physical discomfort, such as relieving headaches, is truly magical.

In essence, my creative work is fundamentally intertwined with my personal mission: to enrich people’s lives through the transformative power of music. I believe in music as a conduit for bringing joy, inspiration, and fulfillment. Through the deep sense of connection that music provides, I strive to create experiences that have a positive impact and contribute to nurturing the lives of those who encounter it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fernandalastra.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fernandalastra.conductor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fernanda.lastra.conductor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernandalastra-conductor/
• Youtube: @fernandalastraconductor OR? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE5FrQs5YabOBvM4-Bbrxdw

Image Credits
– Photo credit for photo feature + picture No. 3 (in black, with baton): LYDIA GALLAGHER – Photo credit for BPO pictures: BRETT DENEVE (pictures No. 4 (w/mic); No. 5 (Outdoor concert); No. 7 (Christmas concert) and No. 8 (Family concert)