The Lexington Philharmonic Proudly Announces Mélisse Brunet as our next Music Director
Photo Credit: ©Toko Shiiki Imagery
The Lexington Philharmonic is proud to announce the appointment of Mélisse Brunet as our next Music Director following a national three-year search, interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Brunet officially assumes the role of Music Director during the 2022 - 2023 Season, with an initial term of five years. Since LexPhil’s founding in 1961, Brunet is the orchestra’s fifth Music Director and the first woman to hold the position.
A native of Paris, France, Mélisse Brunet is recognized as a “skilled and polished conductor with panache,” (ClevelandClassical.com). In addition to her new role as Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic, Brunet currently holds the position of Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Iowa-School of Music. She will lead her first LexPhil concert as Music Director, entitled Limitless on October 22, 2022 at the Singletary Center for the Arts.
“On behalf of the Search Committee, I am delighted to make this announcement today,” says Carol McLeod, Chair of the Search Committee & LexPhil Board President. “Our arrival to this important decision follows a multi-year process that included the challenges brought on by the pandemic. We are deeply grateful to all of our finalists and our community for both their patience and continued support leading up to sharing this exciting news. In Mélisse Brunet, I am confident we have found a vibrant and committed artistic leader and thought partner for the continued growth and evolution of the Lexington Philharmonic.”
Brunet was originally engaged as the guest conductor for LexPhil’s May 2022 concert Beyond the Sky. During Brunet’s week in Lexington, her genuine connection with the musicians was recognized by the Search Committee, members of the orchestra, and LexPhil leadership. While Brunet was not originally considered a candidate in LexPhil’s Music Director Search, the unprecedented response from the musicians and audience following her inspiring week in Lexington, compelled the Search Committee to consider her as a candidate.
With the addition of Mélisse Brunet, the finalists considered for the position were Thomas Heuser, Akiko Fujimoto, Kelly Corcoran, and Julia Tai. In searching for the next Music Director for the Lexington Philharmonic, the Search Committee considered the candidates based on their artistry and artistic vision, rapport with the musicians and staff, and their commitment to building relationships and creating meaningful music experiences for all of our community.
“Mélisse is an inspiring musician with immense talent and artistry, whose passion for music and life shone clearly both on and off the podium during her time in Lexington.” says Allison Kaiser, Executive Director of the Lexington Philharmonic. “Our search for a new Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic was a long journey, and we could not be more excited about this thrilling conclusion.”
“I am humbled and honored to accept the position of Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic,” says Mélisse Brunet. “From the first rehearsal for the May concert until the performance, I felt an immediate connection between the orchestra and myself. How everything clicked and aligned was fortuitous, and so incredibly exciting. I can’t wait to work with the musicians and staff of the Lexington Philharmonic to share our passion for music to make a positive difference in our community.”
In addition to the first concert Brunet will conduct (Limitless on October 22, 2022), there will be opportunities for our audience and community to meet and connect with Mélisse at events throughout the 2022-2023 season. These events will be published to LexPhil’s website at www.lexphil.org.
ABOUT MÉLISSE BRUNET - melissebrunet.com
A native of Paris, France, Mélisse Brunet, currently lives in Iowa City, IA, and is the Music Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, where she will be conducting her third and final Season with them in 2022-23. She regularly guest conducts the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and also guest conducts in NC, KS, OH, IA and CT. She is the first woman in 100 years to hold the position of Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Iowa - School of Music. A protégée of Pierre Boulez, she was one of the 14 finalists selected over 200 applicants for the second edition of the International Competition La Maestra in March 2022 in Paris. She was one of six conductors selected for the 2018 Bruno WalterNational Conductor Preview, chosen for their “experience, talent, leadership potential, and commitment to a career in service to American orchestras.” Brunet began her studies on the cello, and also learned to play the trumpet, French horn and piano. She holds six diplomas from the Paris Conservatory (Analysis, Harmony, Counterpoint, Renaissance Counterpoint, Orchestration, and a Masters in Orchestral Conducting), a Bachelor in Music from the Université la Sorbonne, a Professional Studies diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Doctorate in conducting from the University of Michigan.
Headshots available upon request.
VISION: LexPhil believes in the transformative power of live orchestral music and envisions a culture of curiosity for the creation and performance of great music and the essential role it plays in a vibrant community and education system.
VALUES: LexPhil is guided by an unwavering commitment to its core values of artistic excellence, innovation, collaboration and accessibility.
MISSION: To foster excellence and innovation in the performance and presentation of great music; to enrich the lives of our diverse citizenry; to educate current and future audiences and to bring distinction to our community through the orchestra’s presence and standing.
The Lexington Philharmonic is supported by the Lexington Philharmonic Foundation.
All Lexington Philharmonic programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts. In 2021-2022, the Lexington Philharmonic received $100,000 in unrestricted support.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Lexington Philharmonic with state tax dollars and along with federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Singletary Center for the Arts hosts the core of LexPhil’s Season Series programs, and is a valued institutional partner of the Lexington Philharmonic.
Dupree Initiative for Innovation supports LexPhil’s commitment to innovation and artistic excellence.
The Hamilton Saykaly Garbulinska Fund supports LexPhil’s commitment to continued artistic growth and collaboration.
Special thanks to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for its continued partnership in ensuring a flourishing future for the arts in Lexington and central Kentucky.
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Press contacts:
Mollie Harris, Director of Marketing & Development: mollie@lexphil.org
Allison Kaiser, Executive Director: akaiser@lexphil.org