Jacksonville Symphony Appoints New Assistant Conductor

American conductor Na'Zir McFadden will step into the role

The Jacksonville Symphony has announced that Na'Zir McFadden will serve as its new Assistant Conductor. The 25-year-old will step into the role at the opening of the 2025/26 season.

McFadden comes to Jacksonville from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, where he was Assistant Conductor (and Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra) between 2022 and 2025. There, he was able to work closely with DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini as well as guest artists Sir Donald Runnicles, Osmo Vänskä, Leonard Slatkin, Jessie Montgomery, Billy Childs, Anna Clyne, Awadagin Pratt, and Steven Banks.

He has already served as a Conducting Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and has made guest appearances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and Philadelphia Ballet.

He studied conducting with Paul Bryan at the Curtis Institute of Music and later at DePaul University with Cliff Colnot. In 2020, McFadden was appointed as the Robert L. Poster Conducting Apprentice of the New York Youth Symphony and was also appointed the inaugural Apprentice Conductor of the Philadelphia Ballet.

"It's a great honor to join the Jacksonville Symphony as Assistant Conductor this season," McFadden said. "I'm eager to build on its rich tradition of musical excellence, forge meaningful connections within the community, and inspire the next generation of artists through bold, transformative performances."

"I'm especially passionate about community-building — creating inclusive musical experiences that bring people together, spark dialogue and deepen our shared sense of belonging through the power of music," he added.

"We're excited to welcome Na'Zir McFadden as our new Assistant Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony!" the orchestra wrote on social media. "Please join us in giving him a warm welcome before you see him in action for the 2025/26 Season!"