On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Mélisse Brunet, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks VI: Brahms' A German Requim and is also a CSO Music Director finalist for the 2026-2027 season. Renowned for her “uncommon emotional intensity” and commanding presence on the podium, conductor Mélisse Brunet is gaining international recognition across the U.S. and Europe. A Paris native with Spanish and Italian roots, she currently serves as Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic—the first woman to hold the role—and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. Brunet is also featured in the documentary Maestra, which follows her journey at the La Maestra competition and earned 2nd place in the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary, alongside widespread acclaim from major media outlets. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change we welcome Lighthouse Ministries Executive Director, Darin Nissley, who has been a longtime supporter and friend of the CSO. Lighthouse Ministries has been serving the youth of Southeast Canton since 1996, providing a safe and supportive environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive. What began as a simple vision - a basketball court and teen center next to First Mennonite Church - quickly grew into a vibrant community program offering after-school care, tutoring, youth ministry clubs, summer enrichment, and service opportunities. Today, Lighthouse impacts dozens of children daily through its programming and is supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, continuing its mission to invest in the lives of young people and strengthen the community. Learn more about Lighthouse Ministries at https://cantonlighthouse.org/ Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Roger Kalia, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks IV: Orchestral Kaleidoscope. Praised for bringing a “fresh view to classical music” (The Republic), Indian American conductor Roger Kalia is a versatile communicator who brings unique and unmistakable energy to the podium. Recently profiled by Symphony Magazine in recognition of his innovative programming, Kalia has been hailed as“leading with passionate intensity and a clear beat” as well as being “one to watch” (Long Beach Gazette). Kalia is now in his fifth season as Music Director of the Evansville Philharmonic, his sixth season as Music Director of Symphony New Hampshire, and in his seventh season with Orchestra Santa Monica. He was most recently appointed Artistic Director Designate of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra for the 2024-25 season, and he will assume the role of Artistic Director during the 2025-26 season. The recipient of several awards from the Solti Foundation, including an Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency with Lyric Opera of Chicago and five Career Assistance Awards, Kalia has been praised for his “extraordinary leadership” (Courier & Press). Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Tito Muñoz, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks III: Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet. Praised for his versatility, technical clarity, and keen musical insight, Tito Muñoz is internationally recognized as one of today’s most gifted conductors. He recently concluded a decade-long tenure as Music Director of The Phoenix Symphony at the end of the 2023–24 season and now continues with the orchestra as Artistic Partner, following earlier music directorships in France with the Opéra National de Lorraine and the Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy, as well as assistant conducting roles with leading U.S. ensembles. Muñoz has appeared with many of North America’s foremost orchestras and maintains an active international career with major ensembles across Europe, Australia, South America, and New Zealand. Born in Queens, New York, he began his musical training as a violinist in New York City public schools and made his professional conducting debut in 2006 with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, followed that same year by his debut with The Cleveland Orchestra. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we continue the conversation with JoAnn Falletta, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks II: Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Multiple Grammy Award–winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, a dear friend of our late Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann, is celebrated worldwide for her artistry as a conductor, recording artist, audience builder, and champion of American composers. She currently serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and as the Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, and Conductor Laureate of the Hawaii Symphony. Named one of the “Fifty Great Conductors” by Gramophone Magazine, Falletta has also held major leadership roles with the Ulster Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Chamber Orchestra, and The Women’s Philharmonic. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.