Artist & String Maker
THE
Mandolinist Behind the Perfect Tension
For years, Leo Cardozo has lived with the 10-string mandolin in his hands—on stage, in the studio, and in rehearsal rooms around the world. But he was always struggling with one thing: never finding complete, consistent string sets that truly matched the instrument. Some sets were missing gauges, others changed in quality from one pack to the next. That frustration is what led him to design his own Leo Cardozo strings, built for reliability, balance, and the real needs of 10-string mandolin players.
For years, Leo Cardozo has lived with the 10-string mandolin in his hands—on stage, in the studio, and in rehearsal rooms around the world. But he was always struggling with one thing: never finding complete, consistent string sets that truly matched the instrument. Some sets were missing gauges, others changed in quality from one pack to the next. That frustration is what led him to design his own Leo Cardozo strings, built for reliability, balance, and the real needs of 10-string mandolin players.
"Every great instrument deserves strings made specifically for it."
The Musical Journey
Leo Cardozo, born in Barquisimeto and currently based in Miami, is a Venezuelan mandolinist, composer, and arranger recognized for his work with the 10-string mandolin. A Systems Engineer graduate from UNEFA, he began studying music at the age of seven, influenced by his family’s strong musical background, and later continued his musical training in Venezuela, Curitiba, São Paulo, and Málaga.
He has performed as First Mandolin with the Orquesta Típica Andrés Eloy Blanco and as part of the mandolin section of the Orquesta Típica de Venezuela. Leo is a three-time winner of the International Jazz Festival of Barquisimeto (2012–2014) and a two-time winner at the International Plucked Strings Festival “Ciudad de Cristal” in A Coruña. With six albums available on digital platforms, his latest project, Spontaneous by Impromptu Trio, features eight of his original compositions. Over the years, he has shared the stage with renowned artists including Huascar Barradas, Jorge Glem, and C4 Trio, and has performed at festivals across Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
"Every great instrument deserves strings made specifically for it."
In addition to his performance career, Leo has worked as a music educator with Venezuela’s youth orchestra system and as a professor of mandolin and music introduction at UNEFA, Venezuela.
The Stage Experience
Live Performances
Experience the resonant power of the 10-string mandolin in a live setting. Leo Cardozo brings a unique blend of technical mastery and emotional depth to every performance, showcasing the full expressive range of his custom-tension strings. From intimate recitals to grand concert halls, each note is delivered with the clarity and balance that defines his artisan vision.
The Design Vision
Aesthetic Precision
Every instrument is a dialogue between form and function, where minimalist aesthetics meet the complex demands of acoustic physics.
Technical Mastery
The pursuit of the perfect string tension requires a deep understanding of metallurgy and physics, applied with artisan soul.
Modern Tradition
Respecting the heritage of the mandolin while pushing the boundaries of what the 10-string instrument can achieve on the modern stage.