Enrico Lopez-Yañez is redefining what it means to be a conductor in the 21st century.
Celebrated for his charismatic stage presence, genre-spanning collaborations, and innovative approach to orchestral programming, Lopez-Yañez is one of the most dynamic and sought-after conductors in North America. He currently serves as Creative Director & Principal Conductor of Pops and Specials at the Dallas Symphony, Principal Pops Conductor for the Detroit and Pacific Symphonies, as well as Principal Guest Conductor of Pops at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
With more than 100 performances each season, Lopez-Yañez is one of the most active conductors in the orchestral world. His 2026–27 season includes collaborations with Aida Cuevas, Bernadette Peters, Better Than Ezra, Cody Fry, Idina Menzel, Mandy Gonzalez, Megan Hilty, and Pepe Aguilar, along with return appearances with the Baltimore Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Houston Symphony, National Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Toronto Symphony and Utah Symphony among others.
As a trailblazer in the symphonic world, Lopez-Yañez has premiered dozens of groundbreaking collaborations with artists including Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, Portugal. The Man, The Mavericks, Tituss Burgess, Trisha Yearwood The Lone Bellow and The War and Treaty. His wide-ranging collaborations span genres and generations, with artists including Nas, Common, Itzhak Perlman, Kenny Loggins, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Rector, Ben Folds, The Beach Boys, Tower of Power, and Kenny G.
In 2026, Lopez-Yañez conducted Disney's nationally televised Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash which drew more than 6 million viewers on ABC and ranked No. 1 in primetime television on July 4. He also conducted Los Aguilar Sinfónico Desde El Hollywood Bowl (Live), the 2026 recording documenting Pepe, Ángela and Leonardo Aguilar's symphonic Hollywood Bowl performances. Other guest engagements have included the Atlanta Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa), New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and more. He also previously served as the Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony, which he conducted for eight seasons.
A passionate advocate for Latin music, Lopez-Yañez has become a leading force in bringing Latin artists and musical traditions to the American symphonic stage. He has arranged and produced concerts including La Vida Loca, Latin Fire, and The Three Mexican Tenors, and has collaborated with Angela, Leonardo, and Pepe Aguilar, Aida Cuevas, Arturo Sandoval, Lila Downs, and Lupita Infante. In 2023, he was honored with the “Mexicanos Distinguidos” award by the Mexican government, recognizing outstanding career achievements by Mexican citizens abroad. In 2021, Enrico conducted the critically acclaimed live streamed production of Daniel Catan’s opera La Hija de Rappaccini, which received an Emmy® nomination.
As a composer and arranger, Lopez-Yañez’s versatility extends beyond the podium. He has written for artists including Big Sean and Mariachi Los Camperos, and he has been commissioned by major orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Detroit Symphony, Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, San Diego Symphony.
Beyond conducting, Lopez-Yañez is also Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Symphonica Productions, LLC, a creative production company developing innovative Pops, Family, and Educational concerts for orchestras across North America. Symphonica’s productions have been performed by the Baltimore, Milwaukee, North Carolina, Phoenix, Seattle, Toronto, and Utah Symphonies, and have been praised as “incredibly special—and something that needs to become the new norm” by the Lima Symphony.
For more, visit: www.enricolopezyanez.com or follow @enricolopezyanez.
