From Violin Lessons to Opera Fame: Domingo Hindoyan’s Journey.
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Domingo Hindoyan, a famous conductor from Venezuela, has been named the next Music Director of the Los Angeles Opera. He will officially start in the 2026–27 season, but he already made a great impression during his debut with the company in November 2024. Critics loved his performance of the opera *Roméo et Juliette*, saying it was full of emotion, rhythm, and bold choices.
Hindoyan was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1980. He began playing the violin at just five years old. He studied at several music schools in Venezuela and trained with famous musicians like Gustavo Dudamel. His musical education started with “El Sistema,” a special music program in Venezuela that helps young musicians.
In the year 2000, Hindoyan moved to Switzerland to continue his music education. There, he studied at the Habib Kayaleh Academy and later became a student of orchestral conducting in Geneva. He was always curious about conducting and learned a lot from his father, who was also a musician.
His big break came when he worked with the famous conductor Daniel Barenboim in Berlin from 2013 to 2016. Since then, he has led major orchestras around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Vienna State Opera, and the Opéra National de Paris.
Hindoyan is currently the Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in England. He mixes Latin American passion with European classical style. He will keep this job while working with the LA Opera.
Christopher Koelsch, the President of LA Opera, said Hindoyan was chosen because of his talent, energy, and international experience. Hindoyan is excited to bring fresh ideas to the company and wants to explore new music while respecting opera’s traditions.
He lives with his wife, the opera singer Sonya Yoncheva, and their two kids. His journey—from a little boy in Venezuela to leading one of the top opera companies in the U.S.—is inspiring and shows how music can connect cultures around the world.
