Photo: Carlin Ma
A new leader — a bright future!
The announcement of Xian Zhang as our next Music Director is a confident sign of the Seattle Symphony’s bright future. We can feel the momentum growing. We are sharing the joy of music with an ever-expanding community. This is all possible because of your support.
Earlier this season, we were delighted to announce the appointment of Xian Zhang as the next Music Director of the Seattle Symphony, beginning in September 2025. Xian will hold the title of Music Director Designate during our current 2024/2025 season, when she will lead the orchestra in two highly anticipated programs.
“I have long been inspired by
the Seattle Symphony’s
incredible
talent.
I am overjoyed to be the next Music
Director
and
to continue creating music with this exceptional orchestra. 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.
I
see a wonderful future together!”
– Xian Zhang, Music Director Designate
First conducting the Seattle Symphony in 2008, Xian brings boundless energy, inspiring a strong connection with musicians and audiences alike. Xian’s performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina burana in 2023 were electrifying. And earlier this year, she drew out all the tenderness and poignancy of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring . In both programs, Xian captivated audiences with her pairing of well-known works with cutting-edge contemporary pieces.
Alongside her still-active Music Director post at the New Jersey Symphony (her last season there is 2027/2028), she has made widely praised appearances with the Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra (a GRAMMY™ Award-winning
collaboration), Los Angeles Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra, among others. Her career is also truly worldwide. Born in China, where she began conducting, she has lived and worked around the globe, and is currently Artistic Ambassador of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Emeritus of Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano.
In Xian, the Seattle Symphony has found a charismatic, dynamic and decisive new leader — a true partner in the artistic vision that guides us. Her love for our timeless, essential artform is fundamental to who she is. Her commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts has been a hallmark of her career. She has made
Music Director Designate Xian Zhang is introduced to musicians and staff alongside President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan.
a point of raising the profile of music by women and composers of color, while time and time again blazing her own trail. Xian was the first female Music Director of any Italian symphony orchestra and the first woman to hold a titled position with a BBC orchestra, among many other “firsts.” She will now be the first woman to lead the Seattle Symphony.
“History is being made with the appointment of Xian Zhang as the next Music Director of the Seattle Symphony,” said President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan. “Her passionate musicianship is inspiring; her technique is clear and precise, and the resulting performances touch our audiences in the heart and soul. 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.”
As a caring member of our Seattle Symphony community, you helped make this moment possible. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our orchestra and for your belief in the power of music to bring people together and lift the human spirit.
At Benaroya Hall, Xian appears as Music Director Designate twice this season. On March 27, 29 & 30, she’ll conduct Holst The Planets: An HD Odyssey, featuring stunning NASA imagery. She returns again to lead Hilary Hahn Plays Beethoven on June 12, 14 & 15. To learn more, visit us online at seattlesymphony.org/musicdirector.
LUNAR NEW YEAR GALA
JANUARY 24, 2025
WITH SPECIAL GUEST MIDORI
Join us at Benaroya Hall for a new celebration of music and community featuring a special dinner and performances by violinist Midori, Seattle Symphony musicians and community partners. Proceeds support our community and education programs.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME
Krishna Thiagarajan’s
Xian Zhang’s position is generously underwritten as the Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director.
Xian Zhang’s performances during the 2024/2025 season are generously sponsored by Heidi Charleson and Lou Woodworth.
position is generously underwritten as the Leslie Jackson Chihuly President & CEO.
Welcome our newest musicians!
Eight new members of the orchestra take the stage this season with your support.
The talented musicians of the Seattle Symphony are at the heart of everything we do. Through your generous support, you helped us welcome eight new orchestra members to begin the 2024/2025 season. We are delighted to introduce you to these new musicians and share a little of their stories in their own words.
Thank you for your generous support of all the musicians of your Seattle Symphony!
Cameron Daly
John & Carmen Delo Associate Principal Second Violin
“Winning the audition felt surreal. It’s a very emotional journey and I’m so grateful to have been selected. After playing in a string quartet for the past few years, hearing the entire orchestra in my first week was exhilarating. I got my start in music through an after-school program, so I’m looking forward to the Symphony’s education activities. I’m excited to help future musicians experience the same awakening I did.”
Katie Liu Associate Principal Viola
“I started violin when I was 5 years old but didn’t pursue music until I finished my degree in engineering. At the end of my sophomore year, I borrowed a school viola to play Debussy’s La mer. Learning alto clef in a matter of days was quite an experience. A year later, I performed with the university orchestra. That prompted me to start questioning the path I was on, so I trusted my gut. Now I get to do something I love as a career.”
Carson Keeble Second Trombone
“I’ve been a professional musician for over 20 years. I’d always dreamed of joining an orchestra of the Seattle Symphony’s caliber. I’m so excited to get to play in a great orchestra week in and week out. I was fortunate to have a lot of music in my family. I was interested in different things throughout my studies, but orchestral playing was the thing I was most drawn to. Being surrounded by world-class musicians in an amazing concert hall and playing music every week — it’s hard to go wrong there!”
Jacqueline Audas First Violin
“Joining the Seattle Symphony is a dream come true! I am looking forward to getting to know my colleagues, playing beautiful music, and most of all, being in the same orchestra with my twin sister, Kathy [Katherine Audas]. It has been a dream of ours to play in the same orchestra forever! I started playing the violin at age 3 after watching a PBS special. By age 11, I knew I wanted to be a professional violinist. I feel very lucky to have a career as a musician.”
Meet our new musicians (continued)
Ji Yeon Lee First Violin
“It is incredibly rewarding for me to be playing in the Seattle Symphony. There is something so special about sharing music with an enthusiastic and supportive community. I grew up in a musical household and started playing the violin at age 4. I always knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Seattle is the greenest place I have ever been to and I can’t wait to explore all the outdoor activities!”
Wayne Lee First Violin *
“This feels like the beginning of an exciting adventure! Mostly, what I felt when I won my audition was a sense of relief — relief that the audition was over and that my stomach could slowly start to unknot — but as the news sank in, I felt honored to be joining a group of amazing colleagues and excited to start a new chapter of my career. The connection I feel in the room at each concert is a constant reminder of the value of what we do.”
Ursula Steele Viola
“My favorite aspect of being a musician is the collaborative process of creating a great work of art. I grew up in an environment where music was always a fundamental part of life. I have three siblings who all play string instruments professionally. It means everything to me to perform with other committed musicians who care deeply about the music. I have immense gratitude for the people who make what we do possible.”
Gerald Liu Viola *
“At my first rehearsal, within four seconds of the downbeat, the sound of the orchestra set me on fire. I am still in awe at how beautiful this ensemble sounds. When I found out I won the audition, it was the best moment of my life. I immediately laid flat on the ground, overwhelmed by gratitude for all the wonderful people and musicians in my life who helped me along my journey. Thank you for helping make this violist’s dreams come true.”
* Temporary for the 2024/2025 season
Support your Seattle Symphony with a year-end gift today!
Gifts from caring people like you make our music possible today — and empower our bright future. Please consider making a year-end gift by December 31 to help share the joy of music and bring our community together in the year ahead!
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