Jersey Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Musical Director

Venezuelan conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa will step into the role for the next three years

The Jersey Symphony Orchestra (JSO), which is based in the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, has recently announced the appointment of a new Musical Director. Conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa has been appointed to the position for an initial term of three years.

Luis-Bassa has already conducted the JSO on several occasions, including at its Christmas Concert in 2022 and its Summer Concert in 2024. The orchestra generally performs three concerts each year, as well as undertaking various outreach activities across the island.

Hailing originally from Venezuela, Luis-Bassa was the first person in the nation to graduate with a degree in orchestral conducting — and she was later appointed as the first woman to hold a professorship in orchestral conducting at London's Royal College of Music (RCM).

An advocate for music education and outreach, she has led programs with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Benedetti Foundation, The Purcell School, and Wells Cathedral School, among others.

"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," said Nick Cabot, JSO President.

"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."