Bottom row from left to right: Gonzalo Farlas, Kellen Gray, and Fernanda Lastra.
Image courtesy of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is proud to announce the six finalists being considered for the position of its next Music Director.
Fort Wayne Philharmonic news release:
From More Than 200 Global Applicants, Fort Wayne Phil Selects Six Music Director Finalists
Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 25, 2026) — After an extensive international search that attracted more than 200 highly qualified applicants from around the world, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic is proud to announce the six finalists being considered for the position of its next Music Director.
“The response to this call for applications exceeded our expectations,” said Brittany Hall, President and CEO. “More than 200 conductors from across the globe expressed interest in leading the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, reflecting the extraordinary opportunity that exists here. We are entering one of the most exciting periods in our organization’s history, and this search is about finding a leader who can build on our tradition of excellence while helping us reach new artistic heights and deepen our impact throughout Northeast Indiana.”
During 2027, Fort Wayne audiences will have the unique opportunity to get to know each finalist as they conduct two concert programs and spend time throughout the community. These residencies will extend beyond the podium, allowing candidates to connect with musicians, patrons, donors, and community leaders. Together, these experiences will help shape the Philharmonic’s future while giving the community an active role in getting to know the dynamic artists being considered for this important position.
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is excited to introduce the following six finalists below:
Jessica Altarriba
Nuanced interpretations, dynamic energy and a charismatic stage presence are hallmarks of Cuban conductor Jessica Altarriba. Praised for her communicative skills, impactful performances, and equally vested in both established and well-known repertoire and contemporary compositions, Altarriba served as Assistant Conductor for the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (2024-2026) and is a Taki Alsop Fellowship Award Recipient (2024-2026). She was the first ever Conducting fellow of the New Jersey Symphony (2023-2024) and is an alum of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Freeman Conducting Fellowship. Altarriba holds a Master of Music in Performance (Conducting) from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied under the guidance of Marin Alsop.Upcoming 2025-26 engagements include Guest conducting with the Fort Worth Symphony as part of the Summer Series and New England Conservatory Orchestra Institute. Recent engagements included the Mozarteumorchester (Salzburg), Lüneburg Symphoniker (Germany), Baltimore Symphony, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Yola National Orchestra Guest Conductor collaborating with Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, NOI Institute Orchestra, and the National Seminario Orchestra-Ravinia collaborating with Marin Alsop and Virginia Symphony-assistant conductor. Of note is her performance with Havana-Martin Camerata, where she conducted incidental music for the national premiere of Phantom of the Opera. Altarriba’s festival credits include the NOI Festival, Ravinia Festival and Yola National Festival in US.
Gonzalo Farias
Gonzalo Fariasis Associate Conductor of the Houston Symphony and has emerged as one of the most compelling young conductors of his generation. Praised for his clear, engaging musicianship and thoughtful artistic leadership, he has conducted five Houston Symphony subscription concerts, including high-profile performances on short notice with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.Driven by a belief that music can cultivate trust, respect, and cooperation across communities, Farias has held conducting positions with the Kansas City Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. As Music Director of the Joliet Symphony Orchestra, he expanded community engagement through innovative programming and bilingual educational initiatives.
Recent and upcoming engagements include appearances with the Nashville Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Buffalo Philharmonic, Tallahassee Symphony, Plano Symphony, and Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He also led the world premiere of Arturo Márquez’s Guitar Concerto with Pablo Sáinz-Villegas and the Houston Symphony.
Beyond performance, Farias maintains a deep interest in Zen philosophy and systems thinking. His doctoral dissertation, Logical Predictions and Cybernetics, explores music-making as a self-organizing social practice, reflecting his enduring commitment to communication, collaboration, and community through the arts.
Micah Gleason
Micah Gleason, an “easygoing yet fiercely skilled conductor and singer” (NYT), works actively across the symphonic and operatic worlds. She has collaborated with notable ensembles including the Iceland Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, San Diego Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, The Spoleto Festival Orchestra, The Orchestra Now, Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra, the Dallas Opera, and the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, and served as cover conductor for opera productions with Washington National Opera, Opera Philadelphia, The Glimmerglass Festival, Beth Morrison Projects, Juilliard Vocal Arts, Curtis Opera Theater, and Bard College Opera Theater. She is a mentee of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, recipient of the 2024 Taki Alsop Conducting Award, and winner of the 2025 American Prize in Conducting. In the 25/26 season, Micah looks forward to conducting debuts with Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Opera Memphis, City of London Sinfonia, Mannes Opera Theater, the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition’s Grossman Ensemble, and Cincinnati Opera’s Opera Fusion: New Works project; as well as serving as cover conductor for several programs at the National Symphony Orchestra and returning to The Spoleto Festival as both a conductor and vocalist/creator. Across this season’s appearances, Micah is thrilled to be conducting world premieres of thirteen different pieces.Interdisciplinary collaboration and community building are at the core of Micah’s music-making. She therefore co-founded LOAM, an artistic partnership presenting semi-immersive theatrical-musical works. Their next project will be presented at the 2026 Spoleto Festival.
Micah is represented worldwide by Intermusica Artist Management.
Kellen Gray
American conductor Kellen Gray has earned a reputation as a versatile and imaginative artist, celebrated for his diverse array of traditional and experimental programming, thrilling performances, and provocative multimedia concert experience curation. He is one of the foremost experts and interpreters of the music of African-diasporic composers, for whom he is a passionate advocate and champion.Born and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Gray’s early professional life began as an orchestral violinist before turning his full-time attention to conducting. Since the end of 2023, he serves as Associate Artist of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra: a newly created role that sees him conduct, curate, and present programs right across the RSNO’s series offerings. Since September 2024, Gray is also Conductor & Artistic Director of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra (IN, USA), where he is leading dynamic artistic programming and community enrichment activities for the city of Lafayette.
Recent and forthcoming guest conducting highlights include engagements with leading orchestras worldwide, such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, BBC Philharmonic and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Houston Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Washington D.C.), and Seattle Opera, amongst others.
Stilian Kirov
Recently awarded the 2026 Conductor of the Year Award by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, Stilian Kirov continues his tenure as Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra while also serving as Music Director of the Bakersfield Symphony in California. A recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award from 2016-2019, Mr. Kirov has proven himself not only as a dynamic artistic director, but also as an enthusiastic educator and community leader. He previously held positions as Music Director of Symphony in C in New Jersey, as well as Associate Conductor of the Seattle and Memphis Symphonies. Kirov’s US collaborations include the symphonies of Chautauqua, Omaha, Kalamazoo, South Bend, and West Virginia, as well as the Amarillo Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra/Breckenridge, and Tucson Symphony.Mr. Kirov is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied orchestral conducting with James DePreist. In 2012, he studied at the Aspen Academy of Conducting, and in 2013 he was one of three Conducting Fellows at the Tanglewood Music Center. He holds a master’s degree in conducting from the École Normale de Musique in Paris, where he studied with Dominique Rouits. Also a gifted pianist, Stilian Kirov was Gold Medalist of the 2001 Claude Kahn International Piano Competition in Paris.
Fernanda Lastra
Fernanda Lastra is an Argentine conductor with an international presence across American and Latin American orchestras. Lastra brings to the podium a conviction that music holds more than any word can contain — and that a live orchestra, at its best, is where a community comes to experience that truth together.Recent seasons have established Lastra as an active conductor with prominent American orchestras and institutions. She has served as cover conductor with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Portland Symphony Orchestra for two consecutive seasons, and with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center. As a guest conductor, highlights include her appearance with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in the Masterworks Series, the Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM (OFUNAM) in Mexico City, and her debut with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Chile. From 2022 to 2025, Lastra served as Assistant Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic, serving as cover conductor across the full 40-week season and leading the Family, Youth, and Summer series. In 2025, she was invited to conduct the classical subscription series, a milestone debut featuring pianist Avery Gagliano.
In 2023, Lastra received the Premio Nacional Clásica from Argentina’s National Classical Radio. The following year she was honored with the Career Advancement Award at the Women in Classical Music Symposium, hosted by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
The search marks a pivotal moment in the Philharmonic’s history as the organization prepares to build upon more than eight decades of artistic excellence while embracing an exciting new chapter of growth, innovation, and community impact.
Launched in August 2025, the search was led by a dedicated Search Committee comprised of Philharmonic musicians, board members, and staff leaders. Together, the committee conducted a comprehensive evaluation process designed to identify candidates with exceptional artistic credentials, visionary leadership skills, and a deep commitment to community engagement.
As the Philharmonic continues its search for the next artistic leader, the organization remains focused on its mission of enriching lives through music while building an even stronger future for the arts in Northeast Indiana.
Additional information about each finalist and their guest conducting appearances will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit the Fort Wayne Philharmonic website or follow the Philharmonic on social media for updates throughout the search process.
About the Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Fort Wayne Philharmonic: Now finishing its 82nd season, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s mission is to foster and instill a lifelong love of music across the orchestral spectrum through live performances and educational experiences. President and CEO, Brittany Hall, leads the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Through her leadership and support of the Board of Directors, musicians, and staff, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic strives to be one of the most vibrant and financially healthy orchestras in the country and a cornerstone of the regional community. Its programs are characterized by excellence and innovation in a variety of styles, media, and venues, and create inspiring and engaging experiences for all audiences. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is a funded member of the Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For additional information, call 260.740.3975.
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