Dr. Leonardo Ottoni Do Rosario (’18 DMA Conducting) has accepted the position of Director of Orchestra and Assistant Professor of violin at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.
Previous to his appointment, Rosario served as Conductor of String Orchestra, Director of strings, and Assistant Professor of Music at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Before teaching at the collegiate level, Rosario spent a combined 10 years performing and traveling internationally, touring South America with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas and the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra.
Reflecting on a master class in Berlin with the Berlin Sinfonietta and to Cremona, Italy—birthplace of the Stradivarius and home to the Museum of the Violin—he remarked, “The growth in artistry on my part is something that I can bring back home.” He fulfilled that sentiment by returning to KWU with a determination to expand the String Orchestra into a full symphony orchestra. Through his facilitation, KWU has bridged gaps and fostered relationships between the university and the musical arts community; Rosario has performed with the Salina Symphony and conducted its Youth Strings Ensemble since 2022.
During his doctoral studies at the UNCG School of Music, Rosario served as concertmaster of the UNCG Symphony Orchestra, led violin sectionals, taught private violin lessons, and had the opportunity to conduct the Sinfonia. He credits his wide range of experiences at UNCG with shaping who he is today as both a musician and educator.
“I truly couldn’t have followed this path without UNCG. The mentorship, training, and experiences I had there continue to shape the way I teach, perform, and lead. I carry those lessons with me into every rehearsal, classroom, and concert—and I’m proud to be part of the UNCG community.
Now, as I begin a new chapter at Lee University, I’m excited to keep growing and expanding on what I learned at UNCG. It’s an opportunity to share that legacy with a new generation of students and continue the journey that began in Greensboro.”
Story by Judith K. Briand
Photos courtesy of Kansas Wesleyan University
