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Mercedes Juan Musotto, conductor
BIO

Mercedes Juan Musotto is an internationally acclaimed conductor and educator whose artistry is rooted in mindful presence, compassionate leadership, and deep connection to the music and performers she guides. Known for cultivating stillness, clarity, and embodied listening in rehearsal and performance, she fosters authentic expression and artistic excellence through reflective practice.

Based in Los Angeles, Mercedes serves as Opera Music Director at California State University, Northridge, and Orchestra and Opera Music Director at Santa Monica College. Her leadership creates safe, inclusive spaces that nurture resilience, empower growth, and inspire a shared creative journey.

Her work as a music director is distinguished by an exceptional ability to cultivate synergy in the rehearsal room—bringing together diverse musical voices into a unified, expressive whole. Through intentional listening, collaborative rehearsal practices, and a deep sensitivity to the ensemble’s collective energy, Mercedes creates a dynamic environment where performers feel seen, supported, and inspired. This synergy not only elevates musical precision but also fosters profound artistic connection, transforming rehearsals into spaces of shared purpose and creative resonance.

Under her direction, CSUN Opera earned national recognition from the National Opera Association, highlighting productions praised for their grounded artistic vision and transformative storytelling.

Her recent projects demonstrate a sustained commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and celebrating diversity, including conducting the Culver City Symphony’s groundbreaking all–women composers program and premiering The Everywhere of Her by Velina Hasu Houston & Carla Lucero. These initiatives reflect her dedication to fostering community, inclusivity, and collaborative harmony within the classical music landscape.

Mercedes’s mindful approach integrates breath-centered focus and deep insight, enabling performers to navigate anxiety and embrace vulnerability with courage and confidence.

Mercedes holds advanced conducting degrees from the prestigious National University of La Plata, the renowned Teatro Colón Art College, and California State University, Northridge. Her education reflects rigorous, comprehensive training rooted in both Latin American and U.S. musical traditions.

She is the recipient of several distinguished individual awards, including the highly competitive Solti Foundation Award and the Mozarteum Argentino Prize, which recognize her exceptional artistic leadership and contribution to the field.

Under Mercedes’s visionary leadership, the California State University, Northridge Opera program received multiple National Opera Association Awards for outstanding productions, including L’enfant et les Sortilèges by Ravel and Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. The latter production was also named a Finalist for Opera America’s Award for Digital Excellence.

As a mentor and advocate, she is passionately committed to nurturing artistic growth through compassionate, mindful coaching and to creating reflective environments where emerging artists can thrive. Her work bridges cultural divides, weaving mindfulness and artistic excellence into a transformative legacy of leadership and education.

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