Today marks the beginning of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s first annual Women in Classical Symposium, running through Sunday. The weekend-long event is full of performances by female musicians, and panel discussions pertaining to women in the classical music industry.
Each day focuses on a different aspect of the industry, starting with Wednesday’s “Changing the Script: Women in Classical Music,” which includes a discussion about lifting up the next generation of women featuring industry insiders, like Zenetta Drew, executive director of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Grammy award-winning American Soprano Dawn Upshaw is being honored as the Keynote Speaker at a luncheon and special presentation.
Thursday will be “Pathways for Change,” a look at how musicians can find professional opportunities and pursue self-entrepreneurship. There will also be a mentorship “speed dating” session where musicians can connect and network.
Friday jumps into “Practical Next Steps,” featuring panel discussions on employability and career pathway development, as well as a round table talk with artist managers and agents.
The weekend wraps up on Saturday with a social media workshop in the morning and a concert by the Dallas Opera Hart Institute for Women Conductors in the evening.
Panelists for the weekend include prominent names like Charlotte Lee, who is the President and Founder of Primo Artists, one of the leading artist management agencies in North America, Maria Schleuning, Artistic Director of Voices of Change Modern Music Ensemble and Violinist, and Ellen Highstein, who is the Director of the Tanglewood Music Center, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer institute for advanced musical training.
Tickets can be found on the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s website. Registration starts at $90, and allows options to upgrade your experience, such as a preview concert, a signed copy of The Nightingale’s Sonata by Dr. Thomas Wolf, and a private dinner with the panelists and speakers. Separate tickets to performances on Friday and Saturday are available for $30 each.
