Naomi Woo conducting on a podium

Women in Musical Leadership

Redefining leadership in classical music: a three-year conducting program designed to cultivate the next generation of women and non-binary conductors

Women in Musical Leadership (WML) is a three-year program designed to collectively develop the next generation of women and non-binary conductors and music directors in Canada.

Led by Tapestry Opera with lead partner Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the program addresses a historic gender inequity on the podium by providing women and non-binary conductors active mentorship with leading conductors in the field, deep and varied experience with professional companies and a robust artistic network.

Women in Musical Leadership builds pathways to success for exceptional women and non-binary music leaders for generations. 

This program is a philanthropic endeavour. Your support can help drive national change in the music sector.

WML allows conductors to assist, observe, conduct, and build experience within various organizations in symphonic, chamber, operatic, and contemporary repertoire. This gives conductors the professional expertise and training that will enable them to take the podium anywhere in the world.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Don’t miss the opportunity to see WML Conductors in action.

Conducting Fellow Kelly Lin stands on the conducting podium with Maestro Gustavo Gimeno.

Orchestral Masterclass with Mo. Gustavo Gimeno and the TSO

Wed, April 23, 2025 | Roy Thomson Hall
Tapestry Opera, with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, presents a conducting masterclass with our Women In Musical Leadership conductors. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the Women in Musical Leadership program in action as our WML conducting fellows lead the TSO, with Music Director Gustavo Gimeno providing coaching and guidance.

Monica Chen
With the Victoria Symphony

Apr 26 – Victoria, BC
Monica Chen conducts The Spirit Horse Returns
With the Victoria Symphony
Apr 26 at 3:00 pm

Lara St. John Plays Piazzola

Kelowna, BC
Kelly Lin conducts Lara St. John Plays Piazzola
May 9 at 7:30 pm

Monica Chen
With the Kamloops Symphony

May 11 – Kamloops, BC
Monica Chen conducts The Spirit Horse Returns
With the Kamloops Symphony
May 11 at 2 pm & 4 pm

2024 WML Masterclass with the TSO

Enjoy these images by Dahlia Katz

Program Manager
Camille Rogers

WML newsletter.

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Women in Musical Leadership is a project led by Tapestry Opera in partnership with Toronto Symphony Orchestra.