Dallas Symphony Orchestra Extends Principal Guest Conductor

New Zealand-born Gemma New will continue her role as Principal Guest Conductor through the 2022/23 season

Gemma New began her tenure with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and Music Director Fabio Luisi in the 2019/20 season, after debuting with the orchestra in November 2019.

In addition to participating in the DSO's inaugural Women in Classical Music Symposium, she has conducted the world premiers of Steven Mackey’s Timpani Concerto and Kareem Roustrom’s Violin Concerto No. 2 “with might and main.”

In the 2022/23 season, she will conduct the world premiere of American composer Katherine Balch’s cello concerto written for cellist VC Young Artist Zlatomir Fung.

A graduate of the Peabody Institute of Music and the University of Canterbury, Gemma previously served as a Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) Resident Conductor, Music Director of the SLS Youth Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony, and Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center.

As the current Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, New is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Sir George Solti Conducting Award.

“I am grateful to continue this position with the DSO, and thrilled that we are returning to full orchestra performances,” said New. “It has been a joy getting to know these incredible musicians, and I am looking forward to more time to work together at the Meyerson.”

Along with New, Composer-in-Residence Angélica Negrón extended her contract and will also continue her role with the DSO through the 2022/23 season.

(Photo credit: Catalina Kulczar)

Negrón recently participated in the 2022 Women in Classical Music Symposium both presenting a session on Composing for the Future as well as curating a chamber music concert of all female composers. The DSO gave the world premiere of her orchestral work "En otra noche, en otro mundo" in January 2021 — the performance was chosen as a “Concert to Watch” by The New York Times.

As a Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Negrón writes music for accordions, robotic instruments, toys, and electronics as well as for chamber ensembles, orchestras, choir, and film.