Louis Lohraseb ’13 Conducts Performances in the US and Europe

Louis Lohraseb ’13 graduated from SUNY Geneseo as a music major and made his conducting debut six years later at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

Lohraseb says Geneseo gave him freedom to dive into all his musical passions and realize his dream. Since his debut in Italy, Lohraseb has led symphonies and operas throughout Europe and the United States. 

“Undoubtedly, Geneseo was foundational to any success that I have achieved and will achieve. It is truly a magical place,” says Lohraseb. “Faculty members personified what it means to be a teacher, a mentor, and a professor. They were encouraging and giving. They were extraordinary.”

Lohraseb performed piano recitals, conducted Chamber Singers performances, and played in the percussion ensemble. He studied composition with Distinguished Service Professor James Walker, who invited him to conduct the college orchestra during his first year. Lohraseb went on to become a conducting fellow at the Yale School of Music and earned a master’s degree in conducting in 2015. He recently conducted performances with the North Carolina and Utah symphony orchestras.

“Conducting combines everything I love about music. It’s a beautiful life of discovery,” says Lohraseb. “What a gift, to be able to do what I do as a profession.”