Mario Alejandro Torres

Mario Alejandro Torres serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Conductor of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra at the University of the South. A Honduran-born conductor and violist, he previously held music director positions with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra (4 seasons) and Poulsbo Community Orchestra (3 seasons), and has guest-conducted for Philharmonia Northwest, Seattle Festival Orchestra, and multiple youth symphonies.

His educational background includes:

• B.M. and M.M. in Viola Performance (Northwestern State University of Louisiana)
• M.M. in Orchestral Conducting (Ithaca College)
• Orchestral Conducting D.M.A. candidate (University of Washington)
• Degrees in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration
• Professional Certificate in Community Leadership (Youth Orchestra of the Americas’ Global Leaders Program)

Torres specializes in orchestral conducting with research emphasizing music education as a catalyst for social change. His work integrates community engagement through partnerships with institutions like Suriname's National Music School and Haiti's Music Academy Occide Jeanty, while maintaining active performance practice as a violist. He focuses on cross-cultural musical exchange and youth development through artistic leadership.

His honors include:

• Seattle Symphony Conducting Fellowship (2017)
• Seattle Symphony Conducting Fellowship (2018)

As an educator, Torres actively mentors through high school clinics, youth orchestra collaborations nationwide, and chamber music coaching at Seattle Conservatory. His international work with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas included European tours across Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, and England. Current research explores music's role in social entrepreneurship and community building, particularly in underserved regions of Central America and the Caribbean.

Torres maintains dual professional trajectories as both conductor and performer, having served as co-principal violist for Texarkana, South Arkansas, and Shreveport Summer Music Festival Orchestras while holding positions with Symphoria, Costa Rica Symphony, and other ensembles. His upcoming projects focus on expanding community-based music initiatives in Central America.