Joshua Gersen

An artist of impeccable musical credentials, Joshua Gersen is widely respected as an engaging and inspiring conductor, able to communicate effortlessly with both young and established orchestras internationally. He made his debut as a conductor at the early age of 11 and has established himself as a dynamic presence on the podium.

Joshua recently concluded his tenure as the Assistant Conductor of the New York Philharmonic, where he most notably made his subscription debut at just a few hours’ notice. “Impassioned and incisive,” wrote The New York Times, “the performance earned a standing ovation and prolonged applause from his colleagues in the orchestra.”

Joshua works frequently at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, Boston University, and the Curtis Institute of Music. During his time with the New York Philharmonic, he also conducted many of the orchestra’s celebrated Young People’s Concerts and worked extensively with programs which provide music education for students in underserved communities across New York City.

Joshua studied composition with Michael Gandolfi at the New England Conservatory of Music before studying conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music. He conducted world premieres of new works by young composers with the New York Youth Symphony, and collaborated with many prominent contemporary composers including John Adams, Steve Reich, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Jennifer Higdon, Mason Bates and Michael Gandolfi.

He remains passionate about the core classical repertoire, in particular the German and Russian masters, as well as the classic American composers.

Joshua continues to enjoy successful relationships with orchestras including particularly the New World Symphony, North Carolina Symphony and San Francisco Symphony. Other recent guest conducting appearances include with the Chicago Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Hannover Opera, New Jersey Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Charlotte Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival and and he makes his debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic and Ann Arbor Symphoy next season. He also crosses the pond to Ireland to make his debut with the RTE Concert Orchestra in May 2023. He is the recipient of a 2015 and 2016 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award.