Boston Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Assistant Conductor

German-Colombian conductor Anna Handler will step into the role

Anna Handler will step into the post at the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in September 2024 for a term of two years.

The BSO has two assistant conductors at any one time, and Handler will join Samy Rachid, who was appointed in 2023. She takes over from Earl Lee, who is nearing the end of his tenure with the ensemble.

Presently a Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Anna Handler studied conducting with David Robertson at The Juilliard School, graduating in 2023. During the current season, she makes debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Grazer Philharmoniker, and the Münchner Rundfunkorchester.

Handler is also the founder and director of the ensemble Enigma Classica, which has hosted soloists such as Arabella Steinbacher, Daniel Müller-Schott, and Sabine Meyer.

"The assistant conductors are an important part of our musical community here, and I’m very pleased to welcome Anna to our BSO family," said Andris Nelsons, the BSO's Music Director. "We were very impressed with Anna’s maturity and ability to communicate with the orchestra, and I look forward to working with her in the coming years."

"It is an immense honor to be joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor," Handler said. "The storied history and unique sound of this orchestra fascinate me, and I cannot wait to dive deep into the orchestra's approach to music. I greatly look forward to working with Music Director Andris Nelsons and the musicians and connecting with the community of Boston."