Antonia Joy Wilson

Dr. Antonia Joy Wilson is a professional conductor currently serving with the Shen Yun Performing Arts international orchestra in New York.[1] She made her debut conducting the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at the age of 21, making her the youngest woman to conduct a major American orchestra.[2] She later went on to serve as a music director and conductor for seven American orchestras.[3] In addition, she has performed a guest conductor role in Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia. In 1996, she was the first prize winner at the International Classical Music Festival’s conducting competition held in Mexico.

Education

Wilson began studying the violin at the age nine, and later received a full scholarly to attend the St. Louis Conservatory of Music. She received a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Denver, and earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. She attended Yale School of Music for conducting studies, and then returned to Colorado to complete her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Colorado at Boulder.[3] Wilson has taught at the university level with several university faculties, including a position as Director of Orchestral Studies and Music Director with the Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra.[3][4]

Career

Antonia Joy Wilson has performed extensively in Europe and North America, and has previously served as Artistic Director and Conductor for the Midland Symphony Orchestra (2008-2011);[5] Guest Conductor for the San Francisco Sinfonietta (2003-2008); Principal Guest Conductor for the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra (2001-2003). In addition, she has been conductor for the Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Florida (1998-2001), the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra in Colorado (1994-1999),[6][7] and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey (1990-1994), among others.[8] She has held several guest conductor positions and tour engagements in Latin America, Europe, Asia and North America.[8][9] In 2011, she joined New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts to serve as conductor for its international orchestra.[1][10] Antonia Joy Wilson has been noted by several sources as an example of women gaining ground in the field of conducting, which has historically been dominated by men.[11] She was one of several women noted in a Los Angeles Times article on women cracking the “glass podium” of conducting by being appointed to positions in major American orchestras.[12]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shen Yun Performing Arts, Meet the Artists: Antonia Joy Wilson.
  2. ↑ Janet Martineau (2 May 2008), Midland Symphony Orchestra’s Antonia Joy Wilson knew at an early age she wanted to conduct, The Saginaw News.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Conductor Proiles, Antonia Joy Wilson Profile.
  4. ↑ Mid Michigan Business Notebook, MSO Conductor Search Finalists Announced. Retrieved 10-26-2012.
  5. ↑ Sue White (April 14, 2011), Antonia Joy Wilson leaves a legacy of diversity with the Midland Symphony Orchestra, MLive.com.
  6. ↑ Rocky Mountain Arts Association Denver Women’s Chorus.
  7. ↑ The Jefferson Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 10-26-2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Antonia Joy Wilson, Resume, Retrieved 10-26-2012.
  9. ↑ Banda Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires Antonia Joy Wilson: Guest Director December 2004. Retrieved 10-26-2012.
  10. ↑ Carnegie Hall, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 10-26-2012.
  11. ↑ Helen Tierney (1999), “Women’s Studies Encyclopedia, Volume 1,” Greenwood Publishing, ISBN 0-313-31071-8.
  12. ↑ Chloe Veltman (May 10, 2009), “Female conductors crack the glass podium”, Los Angeles Times.