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Felix Torres

Conductor | Arts Executive

Felix Torres is a multifaceted professional with a distinguished career in music, education, and philanthropy. As the Co-Chair of the Wright Torres Foundation, he plays a key role in supporting initiatives related to animal wellness, mental health, and music.14

Professional Background

Felix Torres holds several prominent positions in the music industry:

  • Music & Artistic Director of the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra since June 20215
  • Executive & Artistic Director of the East Texas Youth Orchestra from August 2019 to January 20245
  • Artistic Director & Principal Conductor of the Texas Institute for Orchestral Studies since January 20235

He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Texas Christian University since April 2020.5

Education and Early Career

Torres received his education from Texas Christian University, earning:

  • Bachelor of Music Education (2006)
  • Master of Music in Wind Conducting (2012)
  • Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting (2014)2

His early career included roles such as:

  • Apprentice Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (2012-2014)
  • Associate Director of Orchestras at Arlington High School23

Philanthropic Work

In 2019, Felix Torres and his wife, Lacey Wright, founded the Wright Torres Foundation.1 The foundation's mission is to support participants in and those affected by animal wellness, mental health, and music through scholarships, donations, and other supportive endeavors.14

Personal Life

Felix Torres splits his time between North and East Texas with his wife, Dr. Lacey Wright, their daughter, and their three dogs: Eve, Cali, and Rex.23

Highlights

May 19 · linkedin

Another one bites the dust! Season 6 is in the books!

The end of the season is always a moment of reflection for me on the current season and of my time with the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra. In six years we’ve all grown so much together.

Tonight’s program has emerged as one of my favorites in my time with the orchestra. All music from the 20th and 21st centuries and an audience that supports what we do.

From an epic performance of Víctor Agudelo’s “Algo va a suceder…”, Daria Kiseleva’s fire performance of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto N°2, to the culmination of six years of work in Stravinsky’s 1919 Suite from The Firebird, it was an exciting night of music from top to bottom.

It still boggles the mind that others in the field and organizations refuse to program new music or programs full of contemporary works. I think we’d all be surprised that many in the audience don’t care. They want experiences. Let’s show them what the orchestra can be and do!

And after three seasons, Thomas Zuber’s time with us as Conducting Fellow has come to a close. We’re all proud of the work you’ve put in and wish you nothing but success in your journey!

We’ll see you in September!

Feb 21 · linkedin

Pausing my social media vacation to express my pride in the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra.

In every performance, we continue to march forward, pushing the boundaries of what this ensemble is and how it performs – and this performance was no different.

With a wide-ranging program of Gity Razaz's In the Midst of Flux, Florence Price's Piano Concerto in One Movement with the wonderful Evan Mitchell, and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, the orchestra navigated each as if we've been performing this way together for years.

It's truly a testament to the care and effort they put into their craft, and I couldn't be more proud and grateful to each of them.

On to the next one!

Related Questions

What inspired Felix Torres to start the Wright Torres Foundation?
How has the Wright Torres Foundation impacted the community since its inception?
What are some notable achievements of the East Texas Youth Orchestra under Felix Torres' direction?
How does Felix Torres balance his roles in music and the Wright Torres Foundation?
What are the future plans for the Wright Torres Foundation?
Felix Torres
Felix Torres, photo 1
Felix Torres, photo 2
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Experience

Music & Artistic Director at Mesquite Symphony Orchestra (June 2021 - Present)
Executive & Artistic Director at East Texas Youth Orchestra (August 2019 - January 2024)

Education

MM, Orchestral Conducting from Texas Christian University (2012 - 2014); MM, Wind Conducting from Texas Christian University (2010 - 2012); BME, Music Education from Texas Christian University (2002 -

Location

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex