American conductor Michael Avagliano is obsessed with redefining what\u2019s possible for an orchestra. His focus on ambitious local collaborations and active community involvement helped the Somerset Symphony Orchestra grow into a regional force in New Jersey and led to significant audience growth in the Summit Symphony Orchestra, both of which he serves as music director.<\/p>\n
He is increasingly sought after as a guest conductor; highlights of the recent season include conducting the Cleveland Pops at Severance Hall and the Allentown Symphony at Miller Theatre. Additionally, he has led over 15 orchestras across the United States and Europe, including the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic (Czech Republic), Pleven Philharmonic (Bulgaria), Scuola Populare di Testaccio (Italy), Plainfield Symphony (N.J.) and University of Oregon Symphony. In a March 2020 performance, Avagliano was praised for an \u201ceffective, powerful performance\u201d (New York Classical Review) in leading the Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra at New York City\u2019s Merkin Hall.<\/p>\n
Michael places a premium on integrating the orchestras he leads with underserved communities, leading orchestras in elder care facilities, hospitals and other places outside the concert hall, With the SSO, among his proudest accomplishments has been performing alongside the young dancers of New Jersey\u2019s Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy \u2014 a rare opportunity for dancers at that age. Leading the Summit Symphony, Avagliano orchestrated a collaboration with Summit High School students, projecting their artwork on stage during a performance of \u201cPictures at an Exhibition,\u201d as well as the orchestra’s biannual Young Artists competition.<\/p>\n
When not leading orchestras, Avagliano turns his attention to mentoring the next generation of young conductors, imparting skills needed both on the podium and off. To train musicianship, he founded the International Conducting Masterclass in Stony Point, N.Y. His online workshop Conducting the Interview focused on career-building, teaching conductors significant skills in applying for positions as conductor and music director. Hoping to build upon the success of these initiatives and construct further ones, he founded the Performers Learning Alliance in 2020, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating educational and performance opportunities for emerging artists.<\/p>\n
Michael has worked in masterclasses and workshops with Neil Varon, Kenneth Kiesler, Phillip Greenberg, Diane Wittry and Kirk Trevor. He studied under Kynan Johns and Markand Thakar and serves as associate faculty at Maestro Thakar\u2019s workshop through Conducting Programs International. A trained violinist and violist, he continues to perform and educate under his adjunct professorship of violin and viola at Drew University and has performed with the internationally acclaimed Madison String Quartet since 2000.<\/p>\n
Michael holds degrees from Indiana University and received his doctorate in orchestral conducting from Rutgers University. He resides in Bound Brook, N.J., with his wife, violinist Evelyn Estava.<\/p>\n
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The Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra announces the appointment of Michael Avagliano, a multifaceted international musician with a dynamic career as conductor, performer and educator, as its music director. Avagliano, who leads the New Jersey-based Somerset Symphony Orchestra and the Summit Symphony Orchestra, will become Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra\u2019s third music director, succeeding Paul Chou, who served at … Continue reading Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra announces Michael Avagliano as music director<\/span>