Meet Leo Testoni | Guitarist and Music Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leo Testoni and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I believe that, often, music chooses us. I was very young, around 9 or 10, when I saw my dad playing alongside a bass player with a massive upright bass. I turned to my mom and said, “I want to be a musician. I want to do that.” That was the beginning of my journey. More than 25 years have passed since, and I’m still driven to study, share my music, and continue learning from other performers and educators.
It’s always hard to answer why, but from conversations with my fellow musicians, we often agree that it feels like the art chooses us, rather than the other way around. I’ve never done anything outside of music; it’s such a unique career. After over 20 years in the field, I’ve never had a traditional job interview. I don’t think anyone decides to be an artist fully aware of how unique and unpredictable this path is. It’s a deep passion that hits you, and you just keep following it, making it your plan A, B, C…

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m the first member of my family to earn a master’s degree. Even though I’m a guitarist involved in many performance projects, I’ve always valued and understood the importance of music education. Schools need great musicians who can excel in both education and performance. Unfortunately, many institutions still teach irrelevant subjects.
Blending performance with education, allowing both to evolve respectfully and functionally, is possible
but a truth far from many places.

I have something I call “connecting the dots.” During a performance in Brazil, a fellow musician recommended a master’s program in guitar performance in the U.S., which I eventually joined after being awarded a full scholarship. This opportunity led to a tour, performing at various festivals in Italy.
Another little story about connecting very distant points: During two weeks in Paris, I had the chance to perform and teach incredible musicians who discovered my work through my duo, “Duet Paty & Leo” three years before, where during the pandemic, Paty and I connected with audiences worldwide, performing live daily.
I genuinely feel that my current professional status is due to the intensity with which I dive into my projects, always believing that each step can be a new dot to connect.

It hasn’t been easy, and it still isn’t. I was fortunate to meet many great people along the way. Without them, the not-so-great ones could have blocked many opportunities. Nowadays, I’ve learned that sometimes it’s worth closing one door to push ourselves to find a better opportunity.

I’m working on new compositions and am very happy with the results. This is my first time writing both the lyrics and music, and I’m excited to release it and see what happens! It’s essential to leave our art in this world, especially when it speaks our truth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Definitely catching the best musicians in the world performing at gigs at The Baked Potato or Very Good Mondays at Gold-Diggers. Watching the sunset at the Getty Center, hanging out at Manhattan Beach Pier, and grabbing a pizza at The Strand House with a ocean view. Plus, checking out Seal Beach Pier and enjoying the fried green tomato sandwich at The Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar, and I can’t forget about the farmers market at The Grove.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Corey Christiansen (coreygtr@gmail.com)
My greatest musical mentor. He’s simply the musician I’ve known who best manages to consistently excel in both performance and music education at the same time.

Rosane Teixeira (rteixeira123@hotmail.com)
My mother, an incredible person, is one of the leading psychologists in Brazil, a pioneer in implementing legal abortion in the country, and largely responsible for countless successful careers. I owe everything I’ve achieved to her.

Agenor De Lorenzi (agenordelorenzi@gmail.com)
An amazing musician who always inspires and motivates me. Even though he’s older and more experienced than I am, he continuously contributes in a positive way.

Website: https://leotestoni.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leo.testoni/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leo.testonigtr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/leotestoni