The Sound of Innovation
Fernanda Lastra, conductor
Vivianne Belanger, flute
Elevate your musical experience with our Sound of Innovation performances at the GE Club at Electric Works in downtown Fort Wayne. This distinctive series unfolds within the dynamic atmosphere of Electric Works, where innovation meets classical virtuosity, immersing you into a mix of traditional and contemporary compositions.Your experience includes a tasting box of food from select merchants at Electric Work’s Union Street Market, and one drink ticket.
PROGRAM
Fernanda Lastra serves as the Assistant Conductor Diversity Fellow for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the mentorship of JoAnn Falletta. Born in Argentina, Fernanda is a passionate and creative conductor with a wide repertoire interest, including symphonic, contemporary, and operatic works. In May 2025, Fernanda is scheduled to make her debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in the classic series featuring pianist Avery Gagliano.
Besides leading the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in several concerts in her role of Assistant Conductor, Fernanda has also led professional and youth orchestras in the United States, Argentina, and Brazil as a guest conductor. As a cover conductor, she has had the opportunity to work alongside esteemed conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Giancarlo Guerrero, Maximiano Valdés, Gerard Schwarz, Mei-Ann Chen, Joseph Caballé-Domenech, and Michael Francis, among others.
Committed to featuring diverse voices in concert halls, Fernanda is dedicated to creating well-balanced and diverse programs that enhance the overall concert experience.
In November 2024, Fernanda will receive the "Career Advancement Award" at the Women in Classical Music Symposium hosted by the Dallas Symphony.
Vivianne Belanger joined the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as the second flute in 2012. She is also the second flute-piccolo in the Drummondville Symphony Orchestra in Canada and previously was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In addition, Vivianne has performed with ensembles such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, the Ostrich Symphony Orchestras and I’Orchestre de la Francophonie.