ABOUT
Fernanda Lastra holds the position of Assistant Conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the mentorship of JoAnn Falletta, concluding her fellowship term in August 2025. 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, Fernanda 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. Just a year later, in 2023, she was promoted to Assistant Conductor, 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, 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.
Apart from her leadership role with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Lastra regularly collaborates as a guest conductor with professional and youth orchestras. Past engagements have involved collaborations with The Syracuse Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and the South Bend Symphony. Upcoming collaborations include engagements with the Great Falls Symphony, the Portland Symphony and the Tucson Symphony.
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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