As the David and Janet McCue Music Director of the Kendall Square Orchestra (K²O) — an ensemble drawn from over 60 leading technology and life science organizations — Kondakçi champions initiatives that combine musical innovation with philanthropic action. At Boston's historic Symphony Hall, K²O's Symphony for Science series has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for healthcare causes through collaborations with figures such as Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo. In partnership with Pfizer and Next Step, Kondakçi also directed the recording and release of Come and Walk a Mile, an anthem for rare disease awareness that has reached audiences worldwide.

In 2017, Kondakçi founded the Eureka Ensemble, a professional chamber orchestra, together with cellist Alan Toda-Ambaras, that works with communities in the greater Boston area to address social issues through music. By engaging often neglected groups — such as immigrant and refugee youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, and at-risk women and children — the ensemble uses music to inspire empowerment, share stories, and foster empathy.

Eureka’s initiatives have addressed issues from homelessness and mental health to climate change, childhood obesity, and music education — garnering acclaim from PBS, NPR, The Boston Globe, and others. Their Rising Tides climate-awareness program in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Boston School for the Environment was highlighted at the 2022 Earthshot Prize ceremony.

In 2018, Kondakçi co-founded the Women’s Chorus at the Women’s Lunch Place in Boston together with entrepreneur and longtime mentor David McCue, a close collaborator whose partnership has shaped much of his community-driven work. Since its launch, the program has offered more than 200 women, ages 17 to 82, experiencing homelessness and poverty a safe and affirming space for artistic expression. Now in its seventh year, the chorus continues to serve as a model for music’s role in fostering dignity, connection, and hope.

During the COVID-19 crisis, he co-launched Boston Hope Music New England Conservatory and Massachusetts General Hospital, delivering therapeutic performances for patients and healthcare workers. These pioneering efforts earned Kondakçi a Berklee Urban Service Award and have been spotlighted by NowThis News, reaching millions worldwide.

A highly sought-after speaker, Kondakçi has presented at TEDxBoston and the League of American Orchestras, demonstrating how orchestral principles can unify teams, refine leadership strategies, and spark sustainable innovation.

Through his leadership development program with Kendall Square Orchestra, The Leading Tone, Kondakçi engages leaders from a wide range of fields, including business, technology, and public policy, linking best practices from the world of music with specific, actionable business behaviors. Participants gain mastery of intentional communication through voice, gesture, and language; develop new frameworks for leadership and collaboration; and learn practical techniques for inspiring team performance. Organizations including PwC and Kinden Corporation have embraced this innovative approach to achieve their strategic goals.

Kondakçi’s career took off in 2014 when he conducted the Albanian National Orchestra, earning recognition as a cultural representative of the Albanian diaspora. Since then, he has collaborated with numerous orchestras across the United States and Europe.

Kondakçi holds degrees in conducting and composition from the New England Conservatory. Residing in Boston with his wife, Chloe, he continues to design bold new projects and broaden his community-centered efforts.

His upcoming season features major orchestral debuts and groundbreaking partnerships that underscore his belief that music, at its core, can unite us, heal us, and drive meaningful change.