GREENSBORO, N.C. (December 18, 2024) – The world of orchestral conducting has long been a challenging and often male-dominated field, but a new generation of women is rising to prominence, breaking barriers, and inspiring others with their stories of passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to music. Here, we share the journeys of five extraordinary women who served as Conducting Scholars at Eastern Music Festival this Summer who have not only overcome personal and professional challenges but also found profound meaning and joy in their roles as conductors and mentors.

Igniting a Passion: Pivotal Moments and Influential Mentors

For Sarah Shapiro, the journey to becoming a conductor began with the inspiring presence of her high school choir director, Tim Estberg. “Tim built a community among his students,” Sarah recalls. “He was a parental figure who provided a safe haven for us, a home. When he died of cancer, my teachers asked us to organize a celebration concert in his memory. I recruited fifty singers and conducted a Moses Hogan spiritual. That night, at sixteen, I felt empowered as a woman having adopted such a leadership position. It was then I realized I wanted to be a conductor, and I never looked back.”

Frances Ho’s passion for conducting was nurtured during her time directing Belmont University’s opera program. “Cultivating a relationship with students and providing a warm environment for their artistic growth was incredibly rewarding,” she shares. 

Claire Lewis knew from the age of three that she wanted to be an orchestral conductor when she was inspired by the character “Leo” in the children’s TV show Little Einsteins. “I wholeheartedly believed there was no reason I couldn’t be a conductor,” she says.

Ivy Kan’s journey began with a gut feeling during her first orchestra rehearsal at nine years old. Despite being a young violinist who could “barely play all her notes”, she knew she wanted to conduct.

Yiran Zhao was deeply influenced by her mentor, Yang-Hongnian, a prestigious orchestral and choral conductor in China. “He invited me to his conducting class at the Central Conservatory of Music and encouraged me to become a conductor and composer,” Yiran says. “Our choir was founded with the goal of “to love and to give” through music…Because of his choir, I was able to receive high-level music training from a very young age, in a place like China where music education is not valued in public schools. I want to be a conductor so that I can pass his spirit on and use my voice to fight for people struggling in this world, spreading love through music.”

Lessons Learned: The Intersection of Music and Humanity

Reflecting on their journeys as conductors, their insights reveal the deep connection between music and humanity, emphasizing the importance of empathy, continuous learning, and community. Through their experiences, they have discovered that conducting is not only about mastering musical techniques but also about understanding and connecting with the people who create the music. They highlight how personal growth and musical development intertwine, shaping them not only into skilled conductors but also compassionate and insightful individuals.

Sarah Shapiro emphasizes the importance of empathy and human connection in conducting. “Conducting is all about people,” she asserts. “Music is one of the most vulnerable modes of human expression. Recognizing that this wordless expression can change lives is crucial.” Similarly Frances Ho reflects on the importance of looking beyond oneself. “The most important but hardest thing to achieve is to look outside of yourself for the whole of the orchestra and the music,” she explains. “This concept not only creates a profound conductor but also a compassionate human being.” while Ivy Kan values continuous learning and open-mindedness. “Never stop learning and stay open-minded,” she advises. “Revisiting a piece of music always reveals something new. Flexibility is key, as different approaches may work with different orchestras.”

Navigating Gender and Artistic Vision

While societal shifts have begun to open doors for women in conducting, challenges remain. Claire Lewis believes that promoting gender equality in music is the responsibility of all conductors, not just women. “I feel a special connection to promoting the musical accomplishments of women,” she states. “But being passionate about gender equality is a responsibility for everyone.” Sarah Shapiro acknowledges these changes but also the anxieties of proving oneself. “Audiences and musicians sometimes assume the best conductors are men,” Comparatively, Frances Ho questions whether gender should shape artistic vision. “Artistic vision and approach are personal,” she says. “However, society carries a more masculine essence. As a woman, I try to be aware of when I am suppressing natural instincts.” Meanwhile, Ivy Kan appreciates the rise of women conductors and believes in the power of good music, regardless of gender. “Good music is good music, whether conducted by a male, female, or non-binary conductor,” she says. “I am happy to see my community striving for gender equality and offering equal chances to all conductors.”

Creative Solutions and Memorable Performances

Conducting comes with its challenges, but these women have found creative solutions to overcome them. Ivy Kan expresses her struggles with rehearsing efficiently and emphasizes the importance of clear and concise communication. “It requires great sensitivity and musicianship to decide what to tell the orchestra,” she explains. Likewise, Yiran Zhao recalls a time when she conducted Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony 110a for her master’s degree recital at Yale. She expresses how the story behind the piece deeply resonated with her and says “I remember telling the story to my orchestra, after which their playing sounded completely different.”

Impact of the Eastern Music Festival

As these talented women reflect on their journeys, they unanimously highlight the profound impact of their experience at the Eastern Music Festival. Sarah Shapiro found healing and reconnection with her emotions after a personal tragedy. “EMF taught me to find authentic emotion from within,” she says. “We don’t always feel intensely on the podium, and that’s okay. I’m learning to reconnect with my emotions through the composer’s motivations.” Frances Ho values the open and generous lessons from the conducting faculty. “The friendships and lessons from my peers are invaluable,” she notes. “I will carry them outside of EMF.” Yiran Zhao highlights the abundant podium time and helpful faculty instructions. “EMF is an intense five weeks of learning, practicing, and memory-making,” she says. “I have learned a lot from my colleagues and cherish the community we have built.”

These stories of passion, resilience, and triumph highlight the power of music and the remarkable journeys of women in conducting. Their experiences inspire a new generation of musicians and underscore the importance of empathy, continuous learning, and gender equality in the arts.