Image by Mara Rubin
Alum
Leo Blanco
Position
Professor
Affiliated Departments
Telephone
617-747-3097
Personal Websites
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Leo Blanco is a pianist, composer, musicology researcher, music consultant, producer, educator, and music social activist. He has been an advocate for the inclusion of global music and history as fundamental elements for a more integral modern music education curriculum, as well an advocate for the role of musicians as active social members in the community. As a Latin American educator and researcher at Berklee College of Music, one of his main objectives in the last decade has been to develop a curriculum rooted in the African Diaspora and its influence in the music and cultures of the Americas.
Career Highlights
- 2021: Released an album of Latin American classical chamber music, Stories Without Words
- 2020: Led the Sugar Road Ensemble
- 2019: Received an honorable mention for his contribution to Africa in the Americas
- 2019: Conducted a series of workshops and a concert in South Africa
Awards
- Received Artist Fellowship Grant from Massachusetts Cultural Council (2022)
- Awarded by the City of Houston for his contribution of diversity and African American history through the lectures of The Sugar Road Ensemble
- “Angel Award” at Scottish National Investment Bank (2014)
- “Best Musical Event” at Edinburgh International Festival (2014)
- First Latin American artist to receive the Boston Jazz Society Award (2001)
Education
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School NameNew England ConservatoryDegreeMaster of Music (M.M.)Field of StudyCompositionDate Degree Received
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School NameBerklee College of MusicState or ProvinceMassachusettsDegreeBachelor of Music (B.M.)Field of StudyMusicDate Degree Received
In Their Own Words