Lexington Philharmonic Renews Music Director Mélisse Brunet Through 2031
Lexington, Kentucky — The Lexington Philharmonic proudly announces the renewal of Music Director & Conductor Mélisse Brunet’s contract. This renewal extends Brunet’s leadership through the 2030–2031 season and carries the orchestra into its 65th season and beyond.
Brunet, who was appointed the orchestra’s fifth Music Director in 2022 and the first woman to hold the role in the organization’s history, has led the Lexington Philharmonic through a period of artistic innovation, expanded community engagement, and growing organizational momentum. Her renewed contract will begin July 1, 2027, following the completion of her current term.
Under Brunet’s leadership, the Lexington Philharmonic has expanded its artistic reach through ambitious programming, meaningful collaborations, educational engagement with K-12 students, and a deepened commitment to music from living composers and composers from underrepresented communities. Highlights of her tenure include the orchestra’s 250Lex concert, featuring collaborations with local artists Ben Sollee, Joslyn & the Sweet Compression, the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras, and Uniting Voices Lexington; and the appointments of nationally acclaimed composers Shawn E. Okpebholo (2024) and Brittany J. Green (2026) as Saykaly Garbulinska Composer-in-Residence. She led the orchestra in the premiere of Moni Jasmine Guo’s work as part of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program and created a new arrangement of “A Kentucky Carol,” originally written by Lexington composer Joseph Baber, which premiered in 2025. She has also continued LexPhil’s commitment to championing the legacy of composer and Lexington native Julia Perry through performances of Perry’s works.
Brunet’s tenure has also been marked by growing audiences, renewed community interest, and performances of major works in the orchestral canon, including Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Brunet has also elevated the Lexington Philharmonic’s profile through her national and international conducting engagements, including her Carnegie Hall debut with the American Composers Orchestra in October 2025.
“Mélisse has brought a unique and vibrant artistic vision to the Lexington Philharmonic, one that has resonated deeply with both our musicians and our audiences,” said Carol McLeod, President of the Lexington Philharmonic Board of Directors. “Her energy and commitment to this community have been felt throughout her tenure, and it has been a privilege to watch her help shape this exciting chapter in LexPhil’s history. We are grateful for her leadership and look forward to all that is still to come.”
“Mélisse’s renewal is an exciting affirmation of the momentum we’ve built together over the past four seasons,” said Executive Director Brooke Raby. “Under her leadership, we’ve seen real growth in our audiences and a deeper connection with our community, while the organization itself has grown more unified and confident. That has given us the foundation to take bigger artistic risks and continue raising the bar for what the Lexington Philharmonic can be.”
Brunet’s renewal comes as the organization prepares to launch its 65th anniversary celebration and continues to advance its strategic priorities of funding stability, governance stability, public identity and image, and organizational culture.
“I am so overjoyed to renew my contract with LexPhil, and to keep bringing fantastic musical and human adventures to our community, together with the musicians, staff, and board members,” said Brunet. “Thank you to everyone for your trust, support, and love. It is a great honor to be able to help bring the joy of music to Lexington and the Bluegrass for many more years.”
This renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment between Brunet and the Lexington Philharmonic to continue building on the momentum of her tenure thus far and to ensure a vibrant future for live orchestral music in Lexington.
