A native of Florence, Italy, Andrea Laguni’s career in performing arts production and management began over 29 years ago when he became a production assistant for the Summer/Winter Festivals of Fiesole. Following that formative experience and prior to joining the staff of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 1995, he worked for the San Francisco Opera, Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, Los Angeles Opera and the Orchestra della Toscana.

Laguni’s work has touched on all facets of orchestra management. Initially brought on as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s director of artistic administration and education, he went on to serve as its general manager and, most recently, as associate executive director. As the primary liaison between the artistic and management arms of the organization, he works closely with Jeffrey Kahane to fulfill the music director’s artistic vision and plays a leading role in strategic planning. He has also supported the Orchestra’s communications and fundraising initiatives, helping to establish the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s innovative communal commissioning group, Sound Investment.

During the first six months of his tenure as executive director, Laguni conceived of and implemented Musaic at the Jazz Bakery, a successful mini-festival that juxtaposed chamber music with jazz. Just after the conclusion of his first year, the Orchestra undertook a very successful tour of Europe, its first in more than 30 years. The Orchestra was hailed by critics and welcomed by enthusiastic audiences at sold out concerts in music capitals such as Vienna, Paris and Berlin.

Laguni received his Doctoral Degree in educational sciences from the University of Florence and also studied at the University of California at Berkeley, where he was involved in independent research under the direction of J.R. Searle. He studied viola and voice at the School of Music of Fiesole, as well as harmony, counterpoint and composition as a private student of Italian composer Riccardo Luciani. He is a 2000 alumnus of the League of American Orchestras’ Orchestra Leadership Academy, Seminar in Artistic Excellence.

Recognized as a leader in the field of arts management, Laguni has given his time since 2005 as a volunteer coach with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission’s Executive Coaching Initiative, a program that provides one-one-one coaching to arts leaders of smaller organizations that have received grants from the Commission. He also has served as a panelist for the Commission’s organizational grant program. From 2003 to 2005, Laguni served as a board member of LA ARTCORE, a multi-cultural exhibitor of local and international visual artists, and he currently sits on the board of directors of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, the orchestra field’s statewide advocacy and professional development agency. He was recently honored with the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, bestowed on him earlier this year by the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. The title is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities, the world and the Italian culture.

Laguni resides in Los Angeles.