Javier Jose Mendoza

Javier José Mendoza is an American conductor, currently serving as the Director of Orchestral Studies at the Wertheim School of Music at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. Mendoza is recognized for his expertise in 18th-century Spanish and New Spanish music and has previously served as the music director of the Chicago Arts Orchestra.

Born in 1978 in the United States, Mendoza grew up in Indiana. He began his music education at Butler University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree under the guidance of renowned conductor Henry Leck. He then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the University of New Mexico, studying with Bradley Ellingboe and apprentice conductor Roger Melone of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Mendoza also received additional training at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.

As a specialist in the 18th-century music of Spain and New Spain, Mendoza received a Fulbright Research Fellowship and served in Madrid, Spain at the Centro Superior de la Investigación y Promoción de la Música at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. ^[1]

In 2017, Mendoza was appointed as the Director of Orchestral Studies at FIU’s Wertheim School of Music. Notable performances with the FIU Symphony Orchestra include those presented in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. His work with Thomas Tirino showcasing the works of Ernesto Lecuna have been prominent in Miami. Mendoza is credited with expanding the orchestra's repertoire and fostering an environment that emphasizes diversity of repertoire in classical music.

Mendoza served as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Chicago Arts Orchestra (CAO), a position he held with distinction for several years. During his tenure, Mendoza focused on uncovering and reviving lesser-known works from the Viceregal period of Latin America. Under his leadership, the orchestra was named “Professional Orchestra of the Year” by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 2014. The orchestra’s performances were widely praised by critics, including those from Time Out Chicago and The Chicago Tribune.

In addition to his conducting duties, Mendoza has recorded several albums, such as Al Combate and Ignacio Jerusalem: Mass in G “De los Niños” with Navona Records. These recordings highlight Hispanic Baroque and Galant music, further cementing Mendoza’s role in promoting lesser-known classical music from Latin America. Mendoza also led the orchestra on a successful tour of Mexico in 2017, performing at iconic venues such as the Catedral Metropolitana, Anfiteatro Simón Bolívar, and Sala Nezahualcóyotl.

In 2025, Mendoza expanded into Latin-urban by collaborating with Yandel and conducting for the “Yandel Sinfónico” album and U.S. tour. Produced by Live Nation, the project included Yandel’s reggaetón hits arranged for orchestra by Rodner Padilla. It launched with a concert in Miami May 30 and included concerts in Orlando, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland, Irving, TX, and Houston. The album Sinfónico En Vivo, recorded live in Miami with the FIU Symphony, was released on April 3, 2025.

Al Combate (Navona 2013)- a collection of galant music from New Spain.

Ignacio Jerusalem: Mass in G "De los Niños" (Navona 2020).

El Cielo y Sus Estrellas with the Camerata Antonio Soler. (Orchid 2022)

• Chicago Arts Orchestra official site

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/yandel-sinfonico-tour-symphony-orchestra-1235298112/ https://southfloridaclassicalreview.com/2021/10/fiu-music-festival-opens-in-rousing-cuban-program-with-a-lot-of-lecuona/ https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv5902/ https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6274/ https://www.orchidclassics.com/releases/orc100208-javier-mendoza/