Message to Walla Walla Symphony Patrons

New Music Director & Conductor, Dina Gilbert's message to Walla Walla Symphony Patrons.
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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dina Gilbert as the new Music Director & Conductor of the Walla Walla Symphony. Gilbert brings a wealth of experience and a passion for music that aligns perfectly with Walla Walla Symphony’s mission to delight and challenge the community through music.
Gilbert is known for her dynamic engagement with audiences of all ages and has significantly influenced orchestras under her leadership with her extensive knowledge of repertoire and innovative programming.
“Dina’s artistry, depth of experience, and creativity have been apparent from the moment we received her application materials,” said Walla Walla Symphony Executive Director Leah Wilson-Velasco. “She immediately distinguished herself from an incredibly deep and talented candidate pool of over 130 candidates from across the globe. Her thoughtful approach to music making, her genuine interest in community connection, and her ability to connect with people really aligned with the core competencies and values expressed in our search for the next Music Director.”
Throughout her career, Gilbert has demonstrated her deep interest in and commitment to creativity, engagement, and supporting new and previously underrepresented artists through performances of new works.
"Dina's innovative programming embraces the classics of the symphony repertoire and a passion for debuting works by new composers and for blending forms. Past collaborations have found her sharing the stage with hip-hop artists, sand painters, circus performers, film, live video gaming, and indigenous storytellers, singers and artists,” said Richard Middleton-Kaplan, Walla Walla Symphony Board member and Chair of the Music Director Search Committee. “During her week in Walla Walla, Dina demonstrated how highly she values cultivating authentic, trusting relationships with our community as individuals and as a whole. One audience member during Dina's performance here commented that 'her whole being was involved in her conducting.' We look forward to experiencing the joy of watching and hearing Dina on the podium."
Walla Walla Symphony Board Chair Alex DeMambro, said, “This is an incredibly exciting moment for the Walla Walla Symphony and we can’t wait to partner with Dina as we head into this next chapter. She expressed honest curiosity about Walla Walla and is invested in and committed to helping us deepen our connection and service to the community in and through music.”
Gilbert is Principal Conductor of the Grands Ballets Canadiens, Music Director of the Kamloops Symphony in British Columbia, and has led orchestras across Canada, including the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic, and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec. Internationally, her engagements have taken her to France, the United States, Colombia, Spain, Austria, Germany, and Japan, where she conducted the Sinfonia Varsovia.
“As Music Director & Conductor, I have the extreme honor to be guiding and shaping the future of this fabulous orchestra with phenomenal and enthusiastic musicians and team members. I am very much looking forward to an exciting 2024-2025 season which will bring various voices together in a shared space,” said Gilbert.
“We are so thankful to the Walla Walla community for supporting the search this past season and engaging so fully in the process. The community feedback, concert attendance, and curiosity in the journey was inspiring and humbling,” said Wilson-Velasco. “The future for the Walla Walla Symphony under Dina’s artistic leadership is bright and exciting.”
Dina Gilbert’s tenure with the Walla Walla Symphony began on July 1, and she has already hit the ground running, collaborating with Symphony staff and board members to plan the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Watch for more details about Gilbert’s first season later this summer.

[@bobschumacher3344]

Dear Ms. Gilbert, congratulations on being chosen the new Music Director and Conductor of the Walla Walla Symphony! The Walla Walla Choral Society wants to add its welcome to our great Valley and the arts that are so vibrantly active in this amazing community. It is our hope at the Walla Walla Choral Society that we will find exciting and rewarding ways to collaborate with you and the symphony in the near future. I look forward to meeting you and wish you nothing but the best of luck. Welcome to the artistic neighborhood here in Walla Walla! Bob Schumacher, President, Walla Walla Choral Society

[@rachelvixie2767]

Welcome 🤗 Look forward to meeting you, too, and the upcoming symphony season. 🎉