Karina Canellakis is an acclaimed American conductor and violinist known for her dynamic presence on the podium and her thoughtful interpretations of both classical masterworks and contemporary compositions. Originally trained as a violinist, she studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and later turned her focus to conducting, graduating from the Juilliard School. Canellakis gained early recognition after winning the prestigious Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award and has since become one of the most prominent conductors of her generation.
She has held notable positions with leading orchestras across Europe and the United States, including becoming the first woman to conduct the First Night of the BBC Proms in 2019. As of recent years, she serves as Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Known for championing modern repertoire alongside classics by Beethoven and Bartók, Canellakis continues to earn praise for her compelling artistry and bold programming choices.
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