The Regina Symphony Orchestra is proud to support the Women in Musical Leadership (WML) program as one of the 2022-2023 Participating Partner Organizations. WML is a three-year program designed to collectively develop the next generation of female and non-binary conductors and music directors in Canada. Led by Tapestry Opera, this program provides female and non-binary conductors with active mentorship from the leading conductor in professional companies to expand their knowledge and artistic networks.
The Program Cohort members attend rehearsals, engage in music score studies with the Maestro, attend staff meetings for an overall view of concert preparation and administrative realities, and act a ‘cover conductors’ for the music being prepared. In championing the WML initiative, the RSO hopes to work with colleagues to develop an already robust slate of Canadian conductors enjoying success in North America and abroad, while ensuring that women conductors in Canada have equal opportunity for conducting opportunities upon completion.
Maestro Gordon Gerrard of the Regina Symphony Orchestra will serve as mentor for two of the WML Program members for Classics Series concerts. Jennifer Tung assited with the Beethoven Five concert on September 24, and Juliane Gallant assisted with the performance of Mahler Four on November 26.
Learn more about the program:
https://tapestryopera.com/programs/women-in-musical-leadership/
Biographies
Monica Chen
A native of Vancouver, Monica Chen is one of the conducting fellows at the Orchestre Métropolitain working closely with Yannick Nézet-Séguin for the 2021 through 2023 seasons. Recent conducting engagements include working with Opera Kelowna, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec and the Orchestre Métropolitain. She has participated in festivals at the Eastman School of Music, Domaine Forget International Summer Academy, the UBC Chamber Music Festival, and the University of Oregon Conducting Institute, working closely with maestros including Jonathan Girard, Neil Varon, Thomas Rösner, and Bramwell Tovey. She was one of three finalists at Domaine Forget chosen to perform in concert with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec two years in a row and is currently closely associated with Tapestry Opera, frequently working with orchestras across Canada.
Jennifer Tung
Assisting Gordon Gerrard with September 24 Beethoven Five concert
Conductor Jennifer Tung leads a uniquely versa-tile career as a music director, collaborative pianist, and soprano. She is Artistic Director of Toronto City Opera, Assistant Conductor of Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, and was named a conducting fellow with Tapestry Opera’s Women in Musical Leadership program. Jennifer serves on the faculty at Toronto’s prestigious Glenn Gould School of Music, and is a sought-after fac-ulty member for summer programs internationally
Juliane Gallant
Assisting Gordon Gerrard with November 26 Mahler Four concert
Conductor Juliane Gallant is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio in London, UK. She has led productions for HGO, King’s Head Theatre, Opera on Location, St Paul’s Opera, Opera Up Close, Opera Mio, and Clapham Opera Festival, and in 2021, made her Royal Opera House debut in Mami Wata as part of the Engender Festival.
