Kristo Kondakçi
David and Janet McCue Music Director
Kristo Kondakçi (b.1991) is an Albanian-American conductor whose dynamic leadership and collaborative spirit bring fresh energy to orchestras and audiences alike. Born in Tirana, Albania, and shaped by his family's journey as political refugees to the United States, he combines personal resilience with a deep commitment to musical excellence. Known for innovative programming and community engagement, Kondakçi's work resonates beyond the concert hall.
As the David and Janet McCue Music Director of the Kendall Square Orchestra, Kondakçi leads an ensemble of professionals from the technology and life sciences sectors. Under his direction, the orchestra creates interdisciplinary musical experiences that connect the arts with innovation. Notably, he spearheaded a collaboration with Pfizer resulting in "Come and Walk a Mile," an anthem composed with young people living with rare diseases, which was marketed across the globe.
In 2017, Kondakçi co-founded the Eureka Ensemble, a professional orchestra focused on leveraging music for social impact and engaging with underserved communities such as immigrant and refugee youth and individuals experiencing homelessness. Their initiatives have garnered attention from PBS, NPR, and The Boston Globe, and include collaborations with esteemed artists like violist Kim Kashkashian and violinist Midori.
Kondakçi's commitment to social impact is evident through his numerous initiatives. In 2018, he co-founded the Women's Chorus, offering musical experiences to women facing homelessness and poverty in Boston. This program has inspired similar initiatives worldwide and was highlighted by NowThis News, amassing millions of views online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he collaborated with physicians and musicians to launch "Boston Hope Music," a therapeutic initiative for COVID-19 patients and healthcare workers, in partnership with the New England Conservatory and Massachusetts General Hospital. This program underscored the healing power of music and provided crucial support during the pandemic.
An advocate for education, Kondakçi serves as an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music, where he mentors the next generation of musicians. He is also a non-resident tutor at Harvard University. He has guest lectured at institutions such as the Longy School of Music and participated in events like TEDxBoston and the League of American Orchestras conference, sharing insights on the intersection of music, community, and innovation.
His international career took off in 2014 when he conducted the Albanian National Orchestra, where he was recognized as a cultural representative of the Albanian diaspora. He has collaborated with orchestras including the Boston Philharmonic, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Summer Music Festival Orchestra and Opera, among others.
Kondakçi holds a Master of Music degree in Conducting and Composition from the New England Conservatory, where he studied under distinguished mentors. His approach combines technical mastery with a profound belief in music's power to inspire and effect positive change in society.
Residing in Boston with his wife, Chloe, Kondakçi continues to focus on projects that use music to engage communities and address social issues. His journey from Albania to the United States and his family's history have instilled in him a deep commitment to artistic expression and social responsibility, which remains central to his work today.