Leo Blanco

Leo Blanco is a Professor at Berklee College of Music, affiliated with the Africana Studies Department and Ensemble Piano. He is a Venezuelan pianist, composer, musicology researcher, educator, and social activist advocating for the inclusion of global music and history in modern music education. His work emphasizes the African Diaspora's influence on the music and cultures of the Americas.

• 2021: Released album Stories Without Words
• 2020: Led the Sugar Road Ensemble
• 2019: Received honorable mention for Africa in the Americas
• 2019: Conducted workshops and a concert in South Africa

His research and teaching focus on integrating Latin American, African, and European musical traditions into a holistic curriculum. Awards include the 2022 Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant, 2014 Angel Award (Scottish National Investment Bank), and the 2001 Boston Jazz Society Award. He holds a Master of Music in Composition from New England Conservatory (2002) and a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music (1998).