Staff
Artistic Director and Conductor
Edward Leonard
Edward Leonard has established an outstanding reputation for his versatility and interpretation of an extensive repertoire. As founder and Music Director of The Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, he has led the organization to substantial artistic growth since its creation in 2014. His comfort in diverse repertoire results in a conducting prowess and artistic command that spans the centuries.
Leonard’s programming as an Artistic Director and conductor extends from new works to masterpieces of the traditional canon, and under his leadership the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh has commissioned a growing series of new works. Leonard has conducted the world premieres of pieces by Alyssa Wang, Marina Lopez, and Federico Garcia-DeCastro, as well as the Pittsburgh premieres of works by Amy Williams, Lou Harrison, and Jeffrey Nytch.
Mr. Leonard regularly performs as a guest conductor around the country, and his conducting engagements include work with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Chamber Connection Orchestra performing at the Chautauqua Institution, OvreArts New Music Ensemble, Savoyards Pittsburgh, the Midwest Chamber Ensemble, and the Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra. He also serves as a cover conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Leonard studied with Juan Pablo Izquierdo at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting. While there he prepared ensembles for conductors including Sir Andrew Davis, Erich Kunzel, Thomas Baldner, and David Effron. For five summers he attended the prestigious Pierre Monteux School for Orchestra Conductors in Maine, where he studied with Michael Jinbo.
Executive Director and Accessibility Coordinator
Andrew J. Swensen, Ph. D., M.A.
Andrew Swensen has a varied career across the arts, working as an educator, arts management professional, and writer. He serves as the Executive Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and also provides contracted professional services to arts nonprofits and independent artists in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He holds an adjunct appointment in the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University, and is also working on a musical currently in development, The Golden Door, for which he serves as lyricist, book co-author, and producer.
Earlier positions in nonprofit administration include serving as the Director of Pittsburgh Filmmakers and as the Special Assistant to the President at The Pittsburgh Foundation. Andrew began his professional career in academic life, and he has held faculty positions at Brandeis University, Hamilton College, Wellesley College and Western Michigan University. He has taught courses across the humanities and worked in programs of comparative literature, cultural studies, the history of ideas, religious studies, film studies, creative writing, and Russian literature. He received his Ph.D. in 1995 from the University of Wisconsin, his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin in 1991, and his A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1987.
Principal players
Violin
Anne Moskal, Concertmaster
Cello
Kathleen Melucci
Bass
Jeffrey Mangone
Board of directors
Jay Villella, President
Carolyn Kubik, Vice President
Sarah Loy, Secretary
Lynette Garlan, Treasurer
Carrie Walsh Erdely
Erika Garrison
Zuly Inirio
Donald Kortlandt
Edward Leonard
Tom Pandaleon