Joana Carneiro
Noted for her vibrant performances in a wide diversity of musical styles, Joana Carneiro has attracted considerable attention as one of the most outstanding young conductors working today.
In January 2009 she was named Music Director of the Berkeley Symphony, succeeding Kent Nagano and becoming only the third music director in the 40-year history of the orchestra. She currently serves as official guest conductor of the Gulbenkian Orchestra, working with the orchestra at least four weeks every year.
Joana marks her third season as Music Director of the Berkeley Symphony in 2011/12. The season begins with her debut at the Cincinnati Opera and a return to the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In September, she opens the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s season in the first of three programs she will conduct there in 2011/12, returns to the Toronto Symphony and debuts with the Detroit and North Carolina symphonies. Internationally, she leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Renee Fleming as soloist in the U.A.E’s new Royal Opera House in Oman, makes debuts with the Gothenburg, Gavle and New Zealand Symphonies and returns to the Orchestra de Bretagne. In her native Portugal, in addition to her appearances with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, she leads a ballet production of Romeo and Juliet with Companhia Nacional de Bailado.
A native of Lisbon, Joana began her musical studies as a violist before studying for her conducting degree at the Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra in Lisbon. She received her Masters degree in orchestral conducting from Northwestern University and pursued doctoral studies at the University of Michigan.
On October 4, Joana will guest conduct the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic at Classic FM Live at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
