Meet Leo Testoni

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leo Testoni. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leo below.

Leo, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, a place full of diversity and contrast. Throughout my career, I have often been the only Brazilian in the room or the only person who looked or sounded like me. Performing all over Brazil taught me a lot. It is a huge country with very wealthy places and very poor areas, so from the beginning of my professional career at sixteen, I have been moving between very different economic and social environments.

Teaching helped me grow even more. I’ve been working in a social program with students who faced many challenges and sometimes lacked access to basic resources. On the other hand, I’ve been teaching at other schools, at a university, and also private students from very high-income families. Every environment was totally different, and each student had a unique story and need. I had to understand where people were coming from to connect truly. Every environment is entirely different, and each student and situation is unique.

Being the only one who looks or sounds like me made me learn that my background is not the default and that there is never just one right way. These experiences made me a flexible and curious professional, always proud of where I come from and always ready to collaborate.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a guitarist, producer, and music educator from São Paulo, Brazil. My career started early, with professional play at sixteen. Over the years, I have performed across Brazil, the United States, and Europe. I have worked in many different musical settings, including festivals, jazz orchestras, musicals, wedding and corporate events, and studio recording. I graduated in music in Brazil and later earned a full scholarship to complete a Master’s degree in Guitar Performance at Utah State University. Music has taken me to very special places and allowed me to collaborate with amazing artists who continually inspire me to grow.

Today, I stay active both on stage and in the classroom. I teach more than twenty private lessons every week in Los Angeles, and I love seeing students gain confidence with their instrument. Teaching keeps me grounded, always pushing me to communicate clearly and continue learning so I can help others find their own voice in music.

I also co-led a project with my wife, Paty Fernandes, called “Duet Paty and Leo”. We perform a mix of Brazilian, jazz, and pop music. We are currently working on new original music, and our next release is coming very soon. We are excited to retake the stage on January 16 at The Merc in Temecula, where we will play a special concert that celebrates our influences and the cultural journey that brought us to California.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

For me, the three most impactful qualities have been discipline, practicality, and emotional intelligence. Discipline keeps me moving forward even when nobody is watching. Being practical helps me make choices that actually work in real life, rather than getting stuck in perfectionism. Emotional intelligence allows me to connect with people, communicate well, and handle challenges calmly and respectfully.

My advice for anyone early in their journey is always to keep learning. Surround yourself with people who are much better than you, because that will push you to grow. At the same time, stay connected with people who are still developing, so you can help them and learn through teaching. That balance between learning and sharing knowledge is one of the most potent ways to evolve as a human and as a professional.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past year, my most significant area of growth has been building “Duet Paty and Leo” in the live music scene here in California. Moving to a new country and starting from zero was a considerable challenge, but we worked hard and built strong relationships. In a short period of time, we performed more than fifty times for weddings, private parties, and public events, always receiving great feedback from clients and audiences. Seeing so many happy comments and reviews has been a clear sign that we are on the right path. Our 2026 calendar already has confirmed dates, which feels incredible. This growth has given me even more confidence in our work and a deep excitement for what is coming next.

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