We can’t wait to welcome you to the sixth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium November 3-5, 2024! This year’s virtual symposium will bring together administrators, educators, composers, musicians and conductors from around the world to gather in meaningful conversations, panels and discussions alike. To register for the full symposium, please use the link below. If you would like to register for individual days or panels, please use the registration links at the bottom of this page aquí.
Programming at this year’s Symposium will focus on a range of topics such as the implementation of AI in music; how industry leaders are programming concerts with the future in mind; exploration of the music of indigenous peoples; and how classical music can challenge genre boundaries and promote diversification.
Peer Engagement
Throughout the two-day Symposium guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with other industry professionals in the arts virtually. Breakout rooms will be occurring during many sessions where attendees can hear directly from WICM speakers and enjoy engagement and conversation in a more personal setting.
Award Ceremony
The DSO is excited to continue the tradition of celebrating Women in Classical Music by presenting the Award of Excellence and the Career Advancement Award. Attendees can join virtually for this ceremony recognizing trailblazers in the arts community.
It’s a harmonic convergence of distinguished women in music. DSO favorite Anne-Marie McDermott joins with Estonian conductor Anu Tali for Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto and Alisson Kruusmaa’s ethereal Arabesques.
This concert is presented by Chanel, the Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 Women in Classical Music Concert Series.
5:30pm | POST-CONCERT PANEL: “AMY BEACH, A TRAILBLAZER”
Amy Beach was the first American woman to compose and publish a symphonic work (her “Gaelic” Symphony was premiered by the Boston Symphony in 1896). Formerly Amy Cheney, she was forced to take her husband’s name, Beach, and was expected to give up formal training, teaching, and almost all her public performance opportunities. Having natural skills of perfect pitch, synesthesia, and prodigal pianist abilities, Amy became a self-taught composer when her senior husband disapproved of tutoring. Regardless of these setbacks, Amy rose to prominence as a composer and pianist when the Boston Symphony premiered both the “Gaelic” and her piano concerto (which Anne-Marie McDermott performs) and became the youngest member of the “Boston 6”, a group of composers who came out of the Second New England School. Thanks to her resilience and love of music, she broke the symphonic glass ceiling for American women composers).
* Please note this event will not be livestreamed. Attendees who are local to Dallas may attend with the purchase of a full registration ticket.
As we kick off our sixth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium, we invite you to join us for opening remarks and introductions.
Speakers: Brooke Scholl (Dallas Symphony, WICMS Manager), Michelle Miller Burns (Dallas Symphony, Ross Perot President & CEO), Kim Noltemy (LA Phil, CEO)
9:45am | AWARD OF EXCELLENCE & CAREER ADVANCEMENT AWARD
Join us in celebrating this year’s Award of Excellence and Career Advancement Award recipients, JoAnn Falletta and Fernanda Lastra.
10:15am | “LEADING LADIES: WOMEN ON THE PODIUM, AND PASSING THE BATON”
This panel includes women at each stage of music direction, from assistant conductor to mid-career, and to women who are at the top of their field. This conversation will cover the challenges at each stage (and age) and how mentor/mentee relationships can help them overcome these hurdles. We will also highlight how relationships between MDs and assistant conductors pave the way for tomorrow’s conductors.
Moderator: Mei Ann Chen(Chicago Sinfonietta, Music Director) Speakers: JoAnn Falletta(Buffalo Philharmonic, Conductor), Fernanda Lastra (Buffalo Philharmonic, Assistant Conductor), Shira Samuels-Shragg (Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Conductor), Michelle Di Russo (Fort Worth Symphony, Assistant Conductor)
11:35am | “WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: SHE-E-O’S OF TODAY’S LEADING ORCHESTRAS”
We bring together the female leaders of today’s leading orchestras to discuss their various paths to orchestral leadership, common challenges, how they overcame obstacles, and what they think about the state of the industry.
Moderator: Kim Noltemy (LA Phil, CEO) Speakers: Jean Davidson (National Symphony, Executive Director), Jennifer Barlament (Atlanta Symphony, Executive Director), Katherine Carleton (Orchestra Canada, Executive Director), Michelle Miller Burns (Dallas Symphony, Ross Perot President and CEO)
12:15pm | BREAKOUT ROOMS
Attendees will have the chance to join different breakout rooms during many of the sessions before reconvening as a group. Individuals will be able to enjoy discussions with peers and talk with WICM speakers directly.
Speakers: Jean Davidson (National Symphony, Executive Director), Michelle Miller Burns (Dallas Symphony, Ross Perot President & CEO), Jennifer Barlament (Atlanta Symphony, Executive Director), Katherine Carleton (Orchestra Canada, Executive Director)
2:30pm | “ALL ACCESS: TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH INCLUSIVE MUSIC EDUCATION”
This panel will discuss the importance of music education at every age and how to create access for those in underserved communities. Other topics will include teaching the individual vs the group, preparing students for the next phase of education, and teaching in a way that translates lessons to other areas of their lives.
Speakers: Ashley Alarcon (Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Young Musicians Manager of Teaching & Learning) Chelsea Tanner (Tonebase, Flute Teacher), Ana Abrantes (Sphinx Organization, Director of Education), Camille Delaney-McNeil (Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, Director), Florencia Velasco Fortner (The Concilio)
3:15pm | BREAKOUT ROOMS
Attendees will have the chance to join different breakout rooms during many of the sessions before reconvening as a group. Individuals will be able to enjoy discussions with peers and talk with WICM speakers directly.
4:15pm | “WOMEN IN MARKETING: PIONEERING STRATEGIES FOR CONNECTING WITH DIVERSE AUDIENCES”
This panel will discuss marketing tactics, goals, and creative problem-solving methods in order to appeal to more diverse audience bases. The panelists will explore ways to get to know their communities, target first time ticket-buyers, and how to ensure repeat customers, building loyalty and culture in their markets.
Moderator: Terry Loftis (Dallas Symphony, Chief Advancement & Revenue Officer) Speakers: Sandy Choi (DC Youth Orchestra Program, Sr. Manager, Marketing) Kayla Hayes (Colorado Symphony, Director of Digital Marketing), Tori Fusinaz (Jacksonville Symphony), Elisha Johnson (Arkansas Symphony)
Leading artistic directors from across the country will talk about how to approach their series’ programs in a balanced way so that they are programming known and beloved works that retain their current audience base, while introducing new works to support up and coming living composers and attract younger audiences. We will also discuss how to achieve the translation of concert goers from popular/movie programs to subscription classical concerts.
Moderator: Katie McGuinness (Dallas Symphony, Wildenthal Families Chief Artistic Officer) Speakers: Leah Rosenthal (La Jolla Music Society, Artistic Director), Jessica Mallow-Gulley (Kalamazoo Symphony, Executive Director), Beth Helgeson (NY Phil, Director of Artistic Planning and Administration), Sandra Doan (The Cliburn, Artistic Director), Sophia Jani (Composer-in-Residence, Dallas Symphony)
11:30am | “CHALLENGING GENRE & PROMOTING DIVERSIFICATION: EMPOWERING WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY”
We’re joined by leaders, instrumentalists, composers, and curators for this panel on the numerous ways we as artists and creatives can promote diversity, new music, and break free of genre confines. Panelists will focus on how each of these areas can support and empower women of color in particular.
Speakers: Melissa Ngan (American Composer’s Orchestra, CEO), Kiani Lilly (The Cleveland Orchestra, Arts Administration Intern), Shih-Hui Chen (Composer/Professor at Rice University), Maria Rojas (Latino Alliance/CSO), Raashi Kulkarni(Composer and Pianist)
12:15pm | BREAKOUT ROOMS
Attendees will have the chance to join different breakout rooms during many of the sessions before reconvening as a group. Individuals will be able to enjoy discussions with peers and talk with WICM speakers directly.
Speakers: Speakers: Melissa Ngan (American Composer’s Orchestra, CEO), Shih-Hui Chen (Composer/Professor at Rice University), Raashi Kulkarni (Composer and Pianist), Kiani Lilly (The Cleveland Orchestra, Arts Administration Intern), Maria Rojas (Latino Alliance/CSO)
2:30pm | “WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT: WORKING TOGETHER TO FOSTER THE NEXT GENERATION OF PERFORMERS”
This panel is comprised of a mix of non-profit artist managers and for-profit artist managers to get a look inside the world of a variety of booking agencies, management styles, and how non-profits and for-profits can work together to aid in a smooth career path for young and upcoming solo artists and chamber ensembles. Also being discussed are how strategic partnerships can not only aid in the education and career advancement of artists signed by these agencies, but how to create more opportunities and exposure for artists of color.
Moderator:Tanya Bannister (CAG, President) Speakers: Christina Baker (YCA, Senior Director of Artist Management), Katie Backus (CAG, VP Artist Management and Booking), Sarah Gordon (Opus 3 Artists, VP Manager, Artists & Attractions), Achia Floyd (Sphinx, Director of Foundation Relations and Community)
3:15pm | BREAKOUT ROOMS
Attendees will have the chance to join different breakout rooms during many of the sessions before reconvening as a group. Individuals will be able to enjoy discussions with peers and talk with WICM speakers directly.
Speakers: Christina Baker (YCA, Senior Director of Artist Managemet), Sarah Gordon (Opus 3 Artists, VP Manager, Artists & Attractions), Tanya Bannister (CAG, President), Katie Backus (CAG, VP Artist Management and Booking),Achia Floyd(Sphinx, Director of Foundation Relations and Community)
4:15pm | “HARMONY IN MOTION: ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE”
A discussion on achieving work-life balance from women in a variety of professions, in various stages of their personal lives/family building.
Moderator: Debi Pena (Dallas Symphony, Chief Administrative Officer) Speakers: Yerin Kim (Central Washington University, Professor of Piano), Kate Breytsbraak (Kansas Symphony, Manager of Artist Relations), Sarah Ioannides (Symphony Tacoma, Music Director), Orli Shaham (Pianist)
5:00pm | CLOSING SESSION
Join us as we celebrate the conclusion of our sixth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium. Closing remarks from Michelle Miller Burns, Dallas Symphony, Ross Perot President and CEO.
2024 Award Recipients
JoAnn Falletta
Award of Excellence Recipient
The central presentation at each Women in Classical Music Symposium is the Award of Excellence, which recognizes a woman in the field who has paved the way for others and is investing in the future of the industry. This year’s honoree is multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, who serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, and Conductor Laureate of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. As Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Falletta became the first woman to lead a major American orchestra and has been credited with bringing the BPO to an unprecedented level of national and international prominence.
JoAnn Falletta has chosen her colleague and mentee, Fernanda Lastra to receive the Career Advancement Award. Lastra has served as assistant conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra since 2022 under Falletta’s mentorship. As a passionate and creative conductor, she is interested in a wide variety of repertoire, including symphonic, contemporary and operatic works. As part of her role as BPO’s assistant conductor, Lastra also serves as a member of the artistic team, music education committee and Diversity Council, among other responsibilities. Lastra is a passionate advocate for Latin American composers – especially those from her native Argentina.
The DSO’s Women in Classical Music Symposium is the only formal gathering to discuss issues specific to women in the field of classical music. Since its launch in 2019, the symposium has featured panel discussions and presentations from leading women in the industry, including conductors, composers, performers, educators and administrators. If you are passionate about the arts and looking to grow and connect with other industry professionals in an encouraging environment, this is the space for you.
This year we are excited to offer single-day passes for attendees who are unable to attend the full symposium. A single-day pass is available for $25 and includes access to all virtual programming on either Monday, November 4 or Tuesday, November 5.
Attendees local to Dallas may attend the opening concert, “Elgar’s Enigma Variations” and post-concert panel, “Amy Beach, a Trailblazer” on Sunday, November 3 with the purchase of a full symposium registration. For those who are not local, all other symposium events will be held virtually.
This year’s symposium will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Prior to the event, you will receive a confirmation email with full details on how to access the virtual events. If you have any specific questions or run into issues throughout the symposium, we will have an IT professional available to provide further assistance.
