Dr. Luis Fernando Madrid is an established and highly respected conductor in his home country of Colombia and has an extensive repertoire of Symphonic and Operatic works. He has completed his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. He also holds a Master of Music in Conducting from the same institution.

In 2022 Dr. Madrid accomplished his doctor degree with a dissertation about The Italian Opera Conductor During the Verismo Era: A Consideration of Tempo and Expression as a Developing Element of Conductors’ Performance Practices.

In 2021 Dr. Madrid was awarded a scholarship by the University of Sydney to complete his doctor degree.

In 2017 Dr. Madrid was awarded the high distinction Medal “Epifanio Garay”. This recognition was granted by the Department of Music of the Universidad de Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolivar in his hometown of Cartagena.

In 2016 Dr. Madrid was awarded the prestigious Colciencias scholarship from the Colombian Government to undertake his doctoral studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Dr. Madrid has been the previous recipient of many scholarships, including two scholarships from the University of Sydney and in 2012 the Colfuturo from Colombia, which enabled him to complete his Master of Music in Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Over the years, Dr. Madrid has been fortunate to study with many prominent conductors, among them: Baldur Brönnimann, National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia (2009 – 2013); Eckehard Stier of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra; Simon Carrington, founder of the King’s Singers; and Imre Pallo former Chair of Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Dr. Madrid is regularly invited to return to Colombia to conduct major orchestras including Orquesta Filarmonica de Bogota, Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Colombia, Orquesta de los Andes and Orquesta Sinfonica de Bolivar in his hometown Cartagena.
In Sydney, Australia he has been invited to conduct Macquarie Towns Orchestra and The Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra. From 2012 – 2019 Dr. Madrid conducted the Northern Rivers Youth Orchestra at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium. In 2015 he was appointed as Principal Conductor of the Australia Asia Culture Orchestra (AAC) and the UNSW Medical Orchestra. He has featured as guest conductor at the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Conservatorium Symphonic Orchestra, Young Regional School of Music, and Strathfield Symphony Orchestra.

In 2014 Dr. Madrid established the Sydney Opera Scuola, with the purpose of providing young opera singers the opportunity to develop their singing and performance careers. He also established the Sydney Virtuosi Orchestra SVO.

His commitment to music education has continued for more than 25 years, conducting and teaching throughout Colombia. This dedication continues in Australia, where he has become a much sought after conductor for youth orchestras being invited to return again and again. Alongside his conducting engagements, Dr. Madrid is regularly invited to teach at workshops and master classes, instructing the new generation of musicians in Colombia and Australia.