ABOUT
Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Fernanda Lastra is a passionate and imaginative conductor known for her artistic leadership and captivating performances. Deeply committed to making orchestral music engaging and meaningful for audiences of all ages, she develops programs that spark curiosity, foster connection, and expand the concert experience. Equally dedicated to building connections within the community, Lastra strives to create a vibrant musical legacy for future generations, guided by her belief in the power of music to unite, heal, and nurture emotional intelligence. She is also a devoted advocate for Latin American composers, with a special focus on preserving and promoting Argentina’s rich musical heritage.
From September 2022 to August 2025, Fernanda Lastra held the position of Assistant Conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the mentorship of JoAnn Falletta.
In 2022, Lastra was appointed Conductor Diversity Fellow at the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Just a year later, in 2023, she was promoted to Assistant Conductor, accompanied by a one-year contract extension. In this role, Lastra served as an assistant and cover conductor for the entire BPO season, while also leading the orchestra as principal conductor for the Family Kids Series, Music for Youth concerts, community engagement performances, and summer concerts. In addition, she contributed to the orchestra’s Artistic Team by designing engaging and innovative programs, and she was an active member of the Music Education Committee and Diversity Council, among other responsibilities.
As an assistant and cover conductor, Lastra has worked alongside esteemed conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Edward Gardner, Giancarlo Guerrero, Maximiano Valdés, Gerard Schwarz, Mei-Ann Chen, 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 made her debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in the Classic Series featuring pianist Avery Gagliano.
Today, Fernanda Lastra appears regularly as a guest conductor with professional and youth orchestras across the United States and abroad. In March 2026, she will make her first appearance 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 U.S. engagements include collaborations with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, as well as work as a cover conductor with the Minnesota Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. Through her dynamic presence on and off the podium, Lastra continues to inspire audiences and musicians alike, fostering connection through vibrant and expressive performances.
In 2023, Fernanda Lastra received a prestigious recognition from Argentina's National Classical Radio at their annual "Premios Nacional Clásica." In November 2024, she was presented with the "Career Advancement Award" at the Women in Classical Music Symposium held by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
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