Luis De León is a Guatemalan oboist currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Oboe Performance at the University of Kansas, where he studies with Dr. Margaret Marco. He holds an Artist Diploma, Master of Music, and Bachelor of Music from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, where he studied with Dr. Susan Tomkiewicz. His early training began at the National Conservatory of Music of Guatemala with Fielding Roldán and continued at the National Institute of Music of Costa Rica with Jorge Rodríguez.
As an orchestral performer, Luis has appeared with numerous ensembles including the Kansas City Symphony, Topeka Symphony, Albany Symphony (GA), LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, NAVO Chamber Orchestra, Kansas City Baroque Consortium, and the Tactus Chamber Orchestra. He previously served as English Horn of the Boca del Río Philharmonic Orchestra in Veracruz, Mexico, under the direction of Jorge Mester. He was also a member of the Orchestra of the Americas in 2009 and 2011–2012, touring the United States, Canada, and China under the baton of José Serebrier and Carlos Miguel Prieto.
A passionate advocate for Latin American music, Luis is dedicated to expanding the visibility of Guatemalan repertoire for the oboe. His doctoral research and recording project explore works by Guatemalan composers, most notably Jorge Sarmientos. In 2025, he presented Jorge Sarmientos’s Concerto for Oboe at the International Double Reed Society Conference, helping reintroduce an important but rarely performed work to international audiences. He also collaborates with living composers and leads the premiere and promotion of new works for oboe.
Beyond his performance career, Luis is deeply committed to music education and cultural exchange. He is a founding member of the Callaway Chamber Players, a chamber ensemble of five experienced musicians from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for chamber music and teaching. The group has performed in various venues, including the Festival Pasión y Corazón in Medellín, Colombia. From 2014 to 2018, Luis organized the Congress of Double Reeds of Central America and Mexico (COFCAM), creating opportunities for performers, educators, and students throughout the region. He also serves as Artistic Director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil Intercultural (OSJI), where he works to provide meaningful musical experiences for young musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through his artistic, educational, and scholarly endeavors, he seeks to preserve and promote the rich musical heritage of Guatemala while fostering greater access to music education and performance opportunities.
