Meet Our Team

Carlos Bastidas

     Francisca Figueroa

Ann Nguyen

Music Director and Conductor

Social media and marketing

Graphic and Web Designer

Maestro Carlos Bastidas continues as Music Director of The Ontario Pops Orchestra in Toronto and conductor emeritus of the Durham Chamber Orchestra in Durham region. His upcoming engagements will include concerts in Canada and Cuba. 

Critics and the media in Canada and the USA have been unanimous in their praise: has hailed Maestro Bastidas with the following comments: “Carlos is a leader on and off the podium. Not only does he program and conduct multiple orchestras, but creatively, he pushes the performance envelope with a vision of how to cultivate the next generation of classical music lovers.” Leanne Wright, VP Communications, The New Classical 96.3 FM (Canada)
"Beyond the impeccable musicianship and care given to the music by [Bastidas], his commitment to provide opportunities to deserving minority musicians serves as an example we could learn to follow on this side of the border." - All About the Arts (USA)

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Maestro Bastidas studied bassoon, composition, conducting and chamber music at the University of Ottawa. In 2019, he received the Transformation Institute’s Transformation Award for Heritage, and was named one of TD’s 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians. He has served as adjudicator for the Ontario Arts Council and the Ottawa Arts Council. His public conducting appearances include Open Doors Toronto at Classical 96.3 FM, and the official opening of the “Canada 150” Celebrations at the Ajax City Hall.
The 2022-23 season holds many exciting projects in store for Maestro Bastidas. Ontario Pops will be launching its “Heritage and Diversity” season, continuing to cement its reputation for diversity by inviting guest performers from different backgrounds. The season will begin with classic Latin American pieces as part of the Hispanic/Latin American Month Gala Concert, which will be in person and streamed from the magnificent Meridian Arts Centre. The rest of the season will be performed from Jeanne Lamon Hall at Trinity-St. Paul Centre in Toronto. This season will also see the culmination of last season’s efforts with the launch of the “Breaking Barriers” album on Spotify and Apple music, The Movie Soundtracks Concert and the Multicultural day Celebration outdoor concert at Mel Lastman Square on June 27.

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Francisca Figueroa, Marketing professional with a bachelor’s in marketing and a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Business Management - marketing focused.
 
She collaborates with the Ontario Pops Orchestra by coordinating Social Media and Email Marketing campaigns. She assists with the content creation, the edition of videos, and the development of new ideas.
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Ann Nguyen is a graphic designer and digital artist from Mississauga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media from York University and has since worked on advertisements for the Ontario Pops and other local Toronto festivals. Ann has been with the Ontario Pops Orchestra since 2016, and plays piano in her spare time. 

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Music Director, Carlos Bastidas
Social Media and Marketing,  Francisca Figueroa 
Graphic Design and Website Design, Ann Nguyen