Page 15 - New West Symphony Oct-Nov 2024 Digital Playbill

A B O U T
ABOUT the ARTISTS

MICHAEL CHRISTIE Artistic and Music Director
A GRAMMY award-winning and innovative conductor,
®
Michael Christie is at home in both the symphonic and
opera worlds. As Artistic and Music Director of the New
West Symphony, he is focused on making the audience
experience entertaining, enlightening and enriching.
The New West Symphony Board of Directors recently
announced the extension of Christie’s contract through
2029.
Of his opening concert as Music Director in 2019, the LA
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Times reported that the orchestra is “embracing the mission of refreshing the modern
Times reported that the orchestra is “embracing the mission of refreshing the modern
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concert experience for a new generation.”
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concert experience for a new generation.”
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THE PROGRAM Christie’s more than 25-year symphonic conducting career has included serving
Christie’s more than 25-year symphonic conducting career has included serving
as Music Director of the Minnesota Opera (2011-18), Phoenix Symphony (2005-13),
as Music Director of the Minnesota Opera (2011-18), Phoenix Symphony (2005-13),
Brooklyn Philharmonic (2005-10), and as Chief Conductor of the Queensland Orchestra
Brooklyn Philharmonic (2005-10), and as Chief Conductor of the Queensland Orchestra
(2001-04) in Australia, as well as guest appearances leading top orchestras such as the
(2001-04) in Australia, as well as guest appearances leading top orchestras such as the
Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonies of Dallas,
Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonies of Dallas,
Atlanta, Houston, and more. He is Music Director Emeritus of the Colorado Music
Atlanta, Houston, and more. He is Music Director Emeritus of the Colorado Music
Festival.
Festival.
Michael Christie is married to Alexis, a physician, and they have two children.
Michael Christie is married to Alexis, a physician, and they have two children.
michaelchristieonline.com
michaelchristieonline.com
LARA DOWNES Pianist
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NPR’s Performance Today 2022 Classical Woman of the
’s

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Year, American pianist
Year, American pianist Lara Downes has been called “a
musical ray of hope” by
musical ray of hope” by NBC News and “an explorer
whose imagination is fi red by bringing notice to the
whose imagination is fi red by bringing notice to the
underrepresented and forgotten” by The Log Journal.
underrepresented and forgotten” by
An iconoclast and trailblazer, Downes occupies a unique
An iconoclast and trailblazer, Downes occupies a unique
position of visibility through her dynamic work as a
position of visibility through her dynamic work as a
sought-after soloist, a Billboard Chart-topping recording
sought-after soloist, a Billboard Chart-topping recording
artist and a beloved NPR personality as host of her
artist and a beloved NPR personality as host of her
popular video show Amplify with Lara Downes. A cultural visionary with a fi rm fi nger
popular video show
on the pulse of tomorrow, Downes is increasingly active as a curator and creative
on the pulse of tomorrow, Downes is increasingly active as a curator and creative
partner with institutions including Lincoln Center, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra,
partner with institutions including Lincoln Center, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra,
Brevard Music Festival, and as Resident Artist for Classical KDFC in San Francisco
Brevard Music Festival, and as Resident Artist for Classical KDFC in San Francisco
and Classical KUSC in Los Angeles.
and Classical KUSC in Los Angeles.
Her uniquely insightful approach to concept and curation have created an
Her uniquely insightful approach to concept and curation have created an
extensive and acclaimed series of chart-topping recordings on the Pentatone, Sony
extensive and acclaimed series of chart-topping recordings on the Pentatone, Sony
Masterworks and Sono Luminus labels, including her latest release, Rhapsody in
Masterworks and Sono Luminus labels, including her latest release,
Blue Reimagined
Blue Reimagined.
laradownes.com
laradownes.com
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