14 Facts About Juanjo Mena

Juanjo Mena was born on Juan Jose Mena; born 21 September 1965 and is a Spanish conductor.

Juanjo Mena later attended the Madrid Royal Conservatory, where his teachers included Carmelo Bernaola and Enrique Garcia Asensio.

Juanjo Mena studied conducting with Sergiu Celibidache in Munich on a Guridi-Bernaola scholarship.

Juanjo Mena subsequently became associate conductor of the Euskadi Symphony Orchestra.

From 1999 to 2008, Juanjo Mena was artistic director and principal conductor of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra.

Juanjo Mena's guest-conducting debut in North America was with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 2004.

Juanjo Mena served as principal guest conductor of the Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa from 2007 to 2010.

Juanjo Mena was principal guest conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007 to 2013.

Juanjo Mena directed the BBC Philharmonic in four concerts prior to his appointment.

In 2013, Juanjo Mena extended his contract with the BBC Philharmonic for an additional 3 years.

Juanjo Mena concluded his tenure as chief conductor of the BBC Philharmonic in the summer of 2018.

Juanjo Mena stood down as principal conductor of the Cincinnati May Festival in 2023.

In January 2017, Juanjo Mena was awarded the Medalla de Oro de Alava.

In January 2025, Juanjo Mena announced via social media his diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's disease.