Leonardo R. Soto Jr. is the newly appointed Principal Timpanist of the Houston Symphony and the first native Hispanic timpanist to play in a professional orchestra in the United States. Leo served as principal timpanist of the Charlotte Symphony from 2009 until 2018, and the Michigan Opera Theatre-Detroit Opera House from 2003 to 2009. He is also an active member of Miami’s Nu Deco Ensemble.
As an educator, Leo was a faculty member at Queens University of Charlotte, an artist-in-residence at Central Piedmont Community College and an instructor for the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras program. He made his solo debut with the Charlotte Symphony in 2012, and in January 2017, Leo performed the world premiere of Evolution, a percussion concerto written for him by Leonard Mark Lewis.
Leo has worked and toured with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, City Music Cleveland, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony and the Grand Rapids Symphony, among others. As a Latin percussionist, he has recorded and toured with artists and bands from across the United States.
Leo is proudly endorsed by Freer Percussion products, Remo drumheads, Luft Mallets and Pearl/Adams instruments.
You are one of the newest members of the Houston Symphony’s orchestra. What was your audition process like?
Timpani auditions are always interesting. You don’t play on your own instruments, so it’s always an extra challenge to try to represent your playing in a new hall with a new instrument. After I made it to the trials, I was asked to do the European tour, so I got to meet and hang with my new colleagues in the orchestra as well as management. We experienced all these amazing, beautiful concert halls, so it became a bonding experience for all of us.
What inspired you to become a musician? How did you choose your instrument?
My father is a self-taught drummer, and my mother is an actress. I did a little bit of both. When I decided to focus on drums my father said, “Yes, but you need to be an educated musician and not just a drummer,” so he took me to the conservatory at the University of Chile. I saw the youth symphony rehearsing Huapango by Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo. When I saw the timpanist, I thought “That’s what I want to play!”
What would you be if you weren’t a professional musician?
It’s hard to tell. Being South American, I played soccer for a long time—I’m really excited about becoming a Houston Dynamo fan! Over the last few years, I picked up tennis and I love it, but I wouldn’t presume to say I would have been an athlete. Maybe acting? I really don’t know, but I’m so glad I don’t have to think about it!
Is there a notable performance or event in your career you’d like to share?
I really enjoy playing music, no matter what the setting is! I believe we all had a beautiful moment in Vienna during the tour. Personally, I will always remember that concert. Also, the last time I went to Chile, for the first time my father, my younger brother and I got to play together, and that memory will stay with me always.
