Jersey Symphony Orchestra is delighted to announce the appointment of Natalia Luis-Bassa as its Musical Director for the next three years.
Ms Luis-Bassa conducted the JSO in its Christmas Concert in 2022 and its summer concert in 2024 both of which received excellent reviews in local media.
Natalia, who began her musical training in her native Venezuela, is a Professor of Conducting at the Royal College of Music, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Oxford University Orchestra.
She is a passionate advocate for music education for young people and has a long standing association with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and has built strong partnerships with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Bendetti Foundation, The Purcell School, Wells Cathedral School among others.
It was at the Royal College of Music where she developed a love for the music of Edward Elgar and was named an Elgar Ambassador by the Elgar Society.
Natalia is committed to widening access to the performing arts and providing opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Nick Cabot, MBE, President of the JSO said “Natalia built a close relationship with the JSO from day one and her strong credentials regarding working with both youth and adults together with her passionate advocacy for placing orchestral music at the heart of a community made her an easy choice as our Musical Director. We are looking forward to working with her both at our usual three yearly concerts but also opening up new directions for working with the musical education of young players in the Island.”
Natalia will next appear in Jersey at the JSO summer concert on August 2nd, 2025, but before then and for the first time in its history, the JSO will be conducted by a Jerseyman who is currently the Music Director of the David Seligman Opera School at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he has been for the past 15 years - James Southall at its Spring Concert on April 12th next.
The photograph of Natalia below was taken at the end of the JSO Christmas 2022 concert.
Comments