Music is reaching an international level at Greater Bridgeport Symphony (GBS). The appointment of Eduardo Leandro as the symphony's new musical director and principal conductor, invites cross-cultural education to greater Bridgeport youth.
Leandro, who is a Brazilian percussionist and conductor, has studied music across six continents. After his initial music education at S茫o Paulo State University in Brazil, he traveled through the Netherlands and Switzerland, focusing on his cutting-edge, avant-garde style.
Leandro, who frequently works with young music students, wants to educate Bridgeport youth on the impact and importance of music around the world.
鈥淸Music] is a wonderful way to get to know the world a little bit,鈥� Leandro said. He further believes music is a 鈥渨onderful avenue鈥� to learn about how other people think.
Phyllis Cortese, executive director of GBS, applauded Leandro鈥檚 ability to connect with Bridgeport youth through his craft. Cortese deemed him 鈥渦niquely positioned鈥� with an amazing musical ear.
鈥淗e鈥檒l hear the language that the children are speaking and he鈥檒l just immediately break into that language,鈥� Cortese said. 鈥淭hese young children, their eyes just pop wide open, and they鈥檙e just engaged and just so thrilled that, 鈥榟ere is this famous conductor and musician, and he鈥檚 in my classroom, and he speaks my language.鈥欌��
Leandro moved to the United States 28 years ago. He recalled one of his greatest teachers, Gustav Meier, who worked as GBS musical director for over four decades.
Leandro learned intently from Meier and attended GBS concerts. In 2021, a personal friend and GBS violinist invited Leandro to conduct their symphony as a guest conductor.
Four years later, Leandro was invited to take a permanent position.
鈥淭his is something that I think we can really work together [with] and make something beautiful, that鈥檚 meaningful to the people around it, you know, to the community in greater Bridgeport,鈥� Leandro said about his appointment.
That talent of GBS is something that particularly excites Leandro about this opportunity. He thinks this position is a natural fit, and said he has never experienced a bad moment while working with the Bridgeport symphony.
Still, Leandro admitted he has a big responsibility to make meaningful and special music.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of work that needs to be done,鈥� he said.
Over 180 applications were received for the position, according to Cortese. She said Leandro鈥檚 cumulative skill-set mirrored the community connection GBS was seeking.
Leandro said being a Brazilian percussionist will always be in his DNA. He calls music a 鈥渟ensation,鈥� something that does not translate well with words and lives within its own universe.
鈥淢usic needs to be talked about, it needs to be understood,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut, before all of that, you need to feel it in your body.鈥�
Leandro鈥檚 debut concert with GBS, "Something Big!" will be held at the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport on May 10. Tickets can be purchased at .
