Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Conductor of the Sewanee Symphony
B.M. and a M.M., Viola Performance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana; M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from Ithaca College
Mario Alejandro Torres is a conductor, teacher, and performer who hails from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Torres served four seasons as the Music Director and Conductor of the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra and three seasons as the Conductor of the Poulsbo Community Orchestra. Torres made his Benaroya Hall debut (home to the Seattle Symphony) in collaboration with Maestros Ludovic Morlot and David Alexander Rahbee in an exciting concert with the University of Washington Symphony Orchestra. In 2017 and 2018, he was awarded conducting fellowships with the Seattle Symphony, assisting Maestro Morlot and guest artists such as Hilary Hahn and John Luther Adams. This past season, Torres debuted as guest conductor with Philharmonia Northwest and has worked with orchestras such as Seattle Festival Orchestra, Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.
As an advocate for music education, Torres is an active clinician and has worked with many high schools and youth orchestras from all over the country. He also served as an instructor and chamber music coach for Seattle Conservatory. In addition, Torres is a strong proponent of using music as a tool for social change and inclusion. That has led him to collaborate with organizations such as The National Music School of Suriname at Paramaribo, Suriname, and The Music Academy Occide Jeanty at Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
As a violist, he has performed as a soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of San Pedro Sula, NSULA Symphony and Chamber orchestras, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and the Monteux School and Music Festival. In addition, Torres has held co-principal positions with Texarkana, South Arkansas, and Shreveport Summer Music Festival Orchestras. He also has played with Symphoria, Shreveport, Longview, Rapides, Marshall, and Costa Rica symphony orchestras. Torres was a member of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas and toured with them in Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, and England.
Torres holds a B.M. and a M.M. in Viola Performance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and a M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from Ithaca College. Currently, he is an orchestral conducting D.M.A. candidate at the University of Washington. In addition, Torres completed a professional certificate program with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas’ Global Leaders Program, focusing on community leadership, teaching artistry, and social entrepreneurship. He also holds degrees in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration.
Torres is thrilled to be the newly appointed conductor of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra.
