BIO
Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Fernanda Lastra is a passionate and creative conductor, recognized for her artistic leadership and captivating performances. Deeply committed to fostering music appreciation across all ages, she designs well-balanced programs that enrich the concert experience, guided by her belief in the power of music to unite, heal, and nurture emotional intelligence. Equally devoted to building meaningful connections within the community, she strives to create a vibrant musical legacy for future generations. Lastra is also a dedicated advocate for Latin American composers, with a special focus on preserving and promoting Argentina’s 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. 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, Lastra appears regularly as a guest conductor with professional and youth orchestras across the United States and beyond. Past highlights include concerts with The Syracuse Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. Upcoming engagements include appearances with the Great Falls Symphony, the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (OFUNAM), in Mexico City.
In 2023, Lastra received a prestigious recognition from Argentina's National Classical Radio at their annual "Premios Nacional Clásica" and in November 2024, she was presented with the "Career Advancement Award" at the Women in Classical Music Symposium held by the Dallas Symphony.
In 2022, Lastra led the production of Missy Mazzoli's opera, Song from the Uproar, in collaboration with Demaskus Theatre and Kassia Ensemble in Pittsburgh. She also conducted the National Orchestra of Argentine Music "Juan de Dios Filiberto" at the CCK National Auditorium in Buenos Aires. Older engagements include leading the University of Iowa’s 2019 production of Little Women by Mark Adamo, the Revival Theatre Company's production of the legendary musical Oklahoma.
Previous career highlights for Lastra include her participation in the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in 2021 and 2022, led by Cristian Măcelaru, and being awarded First Prize in the conducting competition held by Opéra de Baugé in France in 2018.
As a conductor-educator Lastra currently serves as the Music Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra at Buffalo State University (2024-2026). She has previously served as the Director of Orchestras at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL (2021-22), Assistant Conductor for the UI Symphony Orchestra (2018-22) and the PSU Philharmonic (2016-18), Principal Conductor for the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra (2016-17), Professor of Orchestral Activities at El Sistema in Argentina (2008-12), and Faculty Member at La Plata University, Argentina (2005-2016).
In 2013, Lastra founded "La Trama Ensamble," an instrumental training ensemble, which she led for four years as music and artistic director in the city of La Plata, Argentina.
Lastra holds two Bachelor's degrees in Orchestral and Choral Conducting from La Plata National University, a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting from Penn State University, and a Doctoral degree in Orchestral Conducting from The University of Iowa. Additionally, she has 10 years of background in ballet training and over 15 years of experience as a chorus member, performing masterworks and a cappella repertoire. Her principal instrument is the piano, and she has a basic proficiency in viola.
