Seattle Symphony Announces Next Music Director

Conductor Xian Zhang will assume the role as of the 2025/26 concert season

The Seattle Symphony has welcomed Xian Zhang as its next Music Director, who will begin an initial five-year contract with the orchestra, starting in the 2025/26 season. 

Zhang made her Seattle Symphony debut in 2008 and supported the group throughout the pandemic as one of the first conductors to return to the stage with the orchestra. 

She has served eight seasons as Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony and currently serves as Artistic Ambassador of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Conductor Emeritus of Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. 

She is the first female Music Director for New Jersey, plus any Italian symphony orchestra, and will now be the first woman to lead a major West Coast orchestra.

Zhang previously served as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and Principal Guest Conductor of the MSO. 

She has made recent appearances as guest conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra — the latter with which she won a GRAMMY Award in 2023.

In 2002, she won first prize in the Maazel-Vilar Conductor’s Competition and was also appointed New York Philharmonic’s Assistant Conductor, later becoming its Associate Conductor.

As Seattle Symphnony’s Music Director Designate, Zhang will perform in Benaroya Hall in the 2024/25 season in March and will conduct Hilary Hahn in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in June 2025.

“I am overjoyed to be the next Music Director of the Seattle Symphony and continue creating music with this exceptional orchestra,” Zhang said in the press release. “For many years, I have been inspired by the Symphony’s incredible talent and keen desire to bring new music to the stage … As Music Director, I look forward to connecting with audiences on a deeper level, experiencing inspiring concerts together and discovering new music at Benaroya Hall, one of my all-time favorite performance halls to conduct in,” she added. “Thank you to all of the wonderful people I have been able to work with at the Seattle Symphony so far — musicians, board members and administrative staff. I look forward to a wonderful future together.”

“Xian Zhang’s outstanding performances with the orchestra during this search process easily made her a leading choice for Music Director of our Seattle Symphony,” commented Susan Detweiler, MD, Seattle Symphony Music Director Search Committee Chair and Board Member. “Our musicians immediately responded to the depth of Xian’s artistry, producing performances that thrilled both us and the audience, making the Board confident that her extensive experience and deep understanding of classical repertoire will further enhance the Symphony’s artistic development. We eagerly await her return to the Seattle Symphony’s podium in March.”

“Today we are witnessing history being made with the appointment of Xian Zhang as the Music Director of the Seattle Symphony,” said Seattle Symphony’s President and CEO Krishna Thiagarajan. “Her passionate musicianship is inspiring, her technique is clear and precise and the resulting performances captivate our audiences in heart and soul … As Seattle has grown into an important world city and gateway to the Pacific, Xian’s diverse expertise across Asian, Oceanian, European and American orchestras and music schools — from Beijing to New York, Melbourne to Milan — makes her the perfect choice to lead the orchestra in this new era. 

“I am excited by the possibilities and personally could not be happier to gain such a wonderful colleague for our organization,” Thiagarajan continued. “I want to thank the Seattle Symphony search committee, musicians, staff and audiences, who all played a crucial role in this process, as we welcome Xian and her family to the Pacific Northwest. What seemed like a dream a few months ago has now become a reality. Welcome, Xian Zhang!”