West Australian Symphony Orchestra has announced the participants for its 2022 Emerging Conductor program. The five conductors, Alessandro Pittorino, Sara Duhig, Sarah Mills Menogue, Laurissa Brooke and Blake Houlahan, were selected following an extensive application process.

WASO Emerging Conductor Program 2022 participants Sara Duhig, Alessandro Pittorino, Laurissa Brooke, Blake Houlahan, Sarah Mills Menogue. Photo supplied.

“The Emerging Conductors Program is an excellent initiative by WASO and supports conductors from a variety of backgrounds including Community Music and Music Education in addition to aspiring professional conductors,” said Jen Winley, WASO’s Assistant Conductor for 2022.

The selected conductors will participate in a series of development workshops with Winley, attend WASO rehearsals and concerts, as well as observe the Assistant Conductor’s workshops with the orchestra and Principal Conductor Asher Fisch. They will also have the opportunity to observe the orchestra’s Artistic Planning team, offering an insight into the workings of a fully professional orchestral organisation. 

The Emerging Conductor program was launched in 2019, with Winley selected as one of the eight conductors of the inaugural program. It has since formed part of WASO’s...