Pan American Symphony Orchestra

The Pan American Symphony Orchestra (PASO) was founded 25 years ago by dynamic Argentine conductor and musician, Sergio Alessandro Buslje, with the objective of bringing Latin American symphonic music to Washington, DC area concert halls. Maestro Buslje had studied and performed standard classical music for many years but noticed a gap in the area’s cultural offerings—Latin American culture was not being fully represented in area performances, and our Latin American neighbors to the South possess a treasure trove of symphonic works by talented composers that begged to be showcased. Now more than 30 years later, PASO continues to provide quality performances of music originating from Latin America with an on-going concert series that showcases gifted Latin American musicians and soloists. With critical acclaim from the press and a loyal following from the public, PASO remains on the cutting edge of symphonic performances with newly commissioned works, such as Danzon no. 7, by eminent contemporary Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez, and rarely performed works by composers from Argentina, Honduras, Mexico, Ecuador, Cuba, and Brazil. The orchestra has dedicated a season to Latin American woman composers and was the first orchestra in the Washington, DC area to perform the unusual, but beautifully melodic, tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires, by Astor Piazzolla. PASO performed for 2013 Latino Inaugural Celebration to celebrate President Obama's second electoral victory. Hosted by Eva Longoria, the celebration featured Rita Moreno, Jose Feliciano, Prince Royce, opera sensation Juan Diego Florez, Broadway and TV star, Luis Esparza, among others- all accompanied by PASO. The only symphonic tango orchestra in the United States, PASO draws audiences from across the U.S. for its annual DC tango festival and its big symphonic tango shows. The best tango dancers and soloists from Buenos Aires to New York City have joined PASO for these standing-room only performances.