Institute Alumni

The Embodied Conducting Institute is extremely proud of its alumni. Many find success as music directors and conductors of orchestras, bands, choirs and opera companies. Some build successful careers as teachers and conductors at universities, conservatories or preparatory programs. Others resume their musical studies to pursue advanced degrees at leading music schools around the world. We congratulate all of our alumni for their achievements and success, and we are pleased to take this opportunity to share some of their accomplishments, appointments, scholarship and milestones as they share remembrances of their experience at the Institute with you. Please feel free to contact any of our alumni simply by clicking on his/her photo.

	Yaniv Attar (Class of 2009) – Music Director, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra (WA); Music Director, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra; Winner, 2009/12 Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Award NYC; Recipient, 2010 Solti Foundation USA Career Development Award; 1st Prize Winner 2010 Duna Szimfonikus Conducting Competition, Budapest. By far one of the best workshops I have ever been to. The orchestra was terrific and so helpful to us as were the three amazing faculty. Lots of podium time plus two concerts made this experience one-of-a-kind. It contributed immensely to my development as a conductor and musician, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
	Jong-hun Bae (Class of 2006) – Director of Orchestral Activities, Gordon College. My time with both Maestro Gutter and Maestro Balan at the International Institute for Conductors was invaluable. It was life changing. Excellent faculty members, top-tier orchestra, various selections of repertoire, lots of podium time, and concerts. I am a better musician because of it.
	Shawn Bennett (Class of 2018) – Music Education Specialist, Newfoundland & Labrador English School District; Artistic Director, Off the Cuff Community Choir. My experience at the Prelude Academy was second to none. After attending multiple conducting workshops over the past number of years, I finally felt this one provided the podium time necessary to make marked improvement in my abilities. The feedback I received was incredibly valuable, and I was given a plethora of ideas to try going forward in my career. Better yet - Maestro Gambetta’s Embodied Conducting method allows for further growth when the workshop is over. The Prelude Academy was a career-altering, life-changing experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
	Matthew Bertuzzi (Class of 2010) – Assistant Conductor, Pioneer Valley (MA) Symphony Orchestra. My time in Bacau at the International Institute for Conductors really helped me to hone my skills and prepare successfully for auditions.
	Janine S. Bock (Class of 2016/2019) – Artistic Director, Zanesville Memorial Concert Band (OH); Guest Conductor, Muskingum Symphonic Winds, ZMCB Honors Bands (OH; Conductor Cambridge Performing Arts Center and Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center pit orchestras. "Music is universal.” The Embodied Conducting Institute is an experience that embodies this expression. Making music with the Vidin Philharmonic and Bacau Philharmonic along with international soloists and teachers was amazing. Both Maestos Gutter and Gambetta were inspiring as teachers and helped me hone my conducting skills for not only the orchestral medium but my focus of conducting the wind band..
	Liana Branscome (Class of 2017) – Violinist, graduate student, New England Conservatory. Mastering Concertos gave me a supportive and invigorating environment to play two of my favorite concertos with a wonderful orchestra in the beautiful city of Vidin. My time with Professor Emilio Percan was very inspiring. I met so many wonderful musicians, and I continue to keep in contact and play concerts with many of them. I highly recommend Mastering Concertos to all of my friends and colleagues.
	Linnaea Brophy (Class of 2016) – DMA candidate in violin performance, SUNY at Stony Brook; winner 2016 Mastering Concertos Outstanding Soloist award. I had a wonderful experience as a soloist at the 2016 Mastering Concertos course for soloists and conductors! During the course, I was given the unique opportunity to rehearse with a participant conductor and the Vidin Philharmonic every day for two weeks before the final performance on July 30th. This repeated collaboration allowed me to form a connection with the orchestra and the conductor as we mastered the repertoire, and it taught me how to communicate my musical interpretation more effectively to the other musicians.
	Daniel Bukin (Class of 2017) – Rehearsal accompanist at Musical Theatre Southwest; substitute music teacher and clinician, Albuquerque Public Schools; graduate music education student, University of New Mexico. The Advanced Conducting Academy is filled with equal parts amazing music and amazing people. It was my first venture in conducting outside of the US, and it was one of the most enriching learning experiences I've ever had, both in music and in culture. I loved the Embodied Conducting work, and I would take the course again given the chance.
	Will Burkhart (Class of 2011) – Music Director/Conductor, Oak Ridge Community Orchestra (TN); Principle Timpanist, Johnson City Symphony (TN). By far the most rewarding and soundly structured workshop I have attended! There was not a dull moment in the program, nor was it over-bearing. This workshop finds the proper balance between work and play, technique and feeling, theory and application. You should go!
	Bruno Campo (Class of 2012) – Co-Founder and Musical Director, Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra; Founder, Guatemala City Municipal School of Music and El Sistema de Orquestas de Guatemala. I think the Institute is a great course for conductors. The place is beautiful, and the people have very open hearts. The most important thing is the intensive work we had and the excellent orchestra that was always there with a great attitude supporting us. Maestros Balan, Gutter and Gambetta have great 3 perspectives that really helped me to improve my conducting. The experience is just marvelous. For sure I would do it again.
	Henry Hao-an Cheng (Class of 2010) – Music Director, Klangkraft Orchester, Duisburg, Germany; Visiting Artist, Cornell University; Winner, 2018 EU Conducting Competition; Winner 2018 Antal Dorati Conducting Competition I remember my time fondly working with Maestros Gutter, Gambetta and Balan at the Advanced Conducting Academy. Being my first academy as a budding conducting student, I found it amazing. I met so many people with whom I still keep in touch. The teaching was spot on, exactly what I needed to hear at the time. The orchestra was very responsive and at a solid professional level and overall, Bacau is just a place that I still remember with great fondness. Very happy to have been there!
	Lee Yik Chung (Class of 2019) – Founder, Music Director/Conductor, Hong Kong Community Philharmonic Orchestra The Advanced Conducting Academy is the best conducting course I have ever attended. Maestro Gambetta’s innovative Embodied Conducting Method has enabled me to greatly expand my movement possibilities and helped me gain a much deeper understanding of the connections between my gestures and the music. We got an incredible amount of podium time, and the orchestra musicians were both kind and responsive. I met so many talented and inspiring conductors from across the globe, and I made lots of new friends. The Advanced Conducting Academy is really a treasured experience that I recommend to all conductors!
	David Colella (Class of 2019) – Director of Bands, Grand City Schools, Girard, OH; trombone, Lowellville Mt. Carmel Band and St. Marguerite Blue Coat Band, freelance trombonist and euphonium player.. The Advanced Conducting Academy was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Not only did I get to work on challenging rep with an incredible orchestra, but the instruction from Dr. Gambetta and Maestro Balan was insightful and powerful for my technique and musicianship. The Embodied Conducting teachings are incredibly unique; this is valuable information that you won't find anywhere else. On top of the wonderful professional experience, I got to meet amazing musicians from around the world that I keep in touch with to this day. I will always be grateful for this experience.
	Kathryn Cooke (Class of 2018) – Music major and Education Studies minor, Columbia University, New York. The Prelude Academy was exactly the kind of program I needed as a new conductor. Not only was I able to meet fellow conductors and musicians who shared the same passions as I do and who I learned to highly respect and admire, but I was also able to gain a sense of my unique self as a conductor through Embodied Conducting. The fact that I was also able to enjoy Greek culture in Kiato was a plus as well. I would recommend this program to any up and coming conductor who wishes to gain new perspectives about their conducting techniques, as well as meet amazing people and learn classic repertoire!
	Beverly Crain (Class of 2007/2018) – Founder/Artistic Director, Operarep of Southern California; Opera Director/Vocal Instructor, Azusa Pacific University. The Institute expanded my range of conducting repertoire and technique, providing quality podium time and mentoring from highly-experienced and supportive faculty. The atmosphere was friendly and encouraging throughout the process, and I would recommend the International Institute for Conductors highly.
	Andrew Crust (Class of 2009) – Assistant Conductor, Memphis Symphony Orchestra; Conductor, Memphis Youth Orchestra.. The Institute is wonderful for many reasons. The list of covered repertoire is immense; the podium and performance time are more than ample, and the three mentors are inspiring, each in different ways. This paired with the unique adventure of spending time in Romania makes the workshop a must!
	Nancia D'Alimonte (Class of 2004-05) – Music Director/Conductor, National Institutes of Health Philharmonia; Music Director/Conductor, The George Washington University Symphony Orchestra; Education Consultant, Baltimore Symphony and National Philharmonic (MD). The unique and invaluable lessons I learned attending both workshops are still with me today. Maestros Balan and Gutter truly made the effort to get to know each conductor as an individual. The orchestra is first rate, an extremely talented, caring and supportive group that only added to whole workshop experience.
	John Ferguson (Class of 2018) – Director of Music, Scotch College, Melbourne, Australia. The Advanced Conducting Academy was excellent. I have conducted professional and student ensembles for many years. Once one is out of an instructional environment, it is very hard to get useful advice. Having various (and many) flaws that had crept in over the years brought to my attention and corrected was incredibly helpful. Upon returning to Australia, a number of professional musicians commented on my improvement!
	Michael Galib (Class of 2010) – Music Director, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI; Pianist, summer French School, Middlebury College, CT; First prize winner, 2004 International Trumpet Guild Composition Competition. The amount of time spent on the podium was second to no other conducting workshop I’ve been to, and was a huge help in gaining comfort in front of the group. A big thanks and bravo to the orchestra for its warm reception, rapport with the conductors and the valuable input from all the instructors.
	Robert Garza (Class of 2014) – Graduate student in music composition, the Julliard School, NY. Conducting the Bacau Philharmonic was a tremendous experience that I will never forget. As a participant in the Conducting Concertos program I really enjoyed working personally with a wonderful pianist. Conducting 19th and 20th century repertoire in the large Romantic Orchestra in the second week was a pleasure as well. The players were extremely responsive and eager to play on all four concert nights.
	Livia Gho (Class of 2014) – Music Director and Founder, Women's Orchestra of Arizona; Artistic Director of Phoenix Women's Chorus; Music Director of Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ. The podium time and orchestral experience is unparalleled! The orchestral musicians were extremely supportive, and having three conducting mentors was a luxury. I would definitely consider returning in the future!
	Lawrence Golan (Class of 1997) – Director of Orchestral Studies and Professor of Conducting, University of Denver Lamont School of Music; Music Director, Yakima Symphony Orchestra (WA); Prinicpal Conductor, Seoul Philharmonic (S. Korea). I attended the 1997 Institute in Kiev. It was a great experience and one of my first workshops. It was a thrill to work with such a high-quality professional orchestra, which I had not done up to that time. I also found the faculty to be extremely helpful. Their often differing perspectives on various issues helped me to understand that there is not just one right way of doing things.
	Raymond Gueguen (Class of 2011-12) – Founder and first Director, l’École municipale de musique agréée de Chaumont (Haute-Marne). Un immense merci aux Maestri Gutter, Gambetta et Balan pour leurs précieux conseils. Un grand merci à l’orchestre Mihail Jora pour son chaleureux accueil. Merci à tous pour ces rencontres de haut niveau.
	Sinead Hayes (Class of 2005/07) – Music Director, Bury Choral Society, UK; Assoc. Conductor, Halle Harmony Youth Orchestra, UK; Assistant Music Director, Stockport Youth Orchestra, UK. The combination of a supportive faculty, committed orchestra and plenty of uninterrupted podium time meant that this workshop was an important part of my development as a conductor. The experience gained on the podium in Bacau has been invaluable.
	Robert Henley (Class of 2011-12) – Freelance conductor in Paris; Creator of the Classical Us and Into the Mozart Zone projects. I look back with immense pleasure to my two visits to Bacau: the warm weather, the wonderful music-making, the dedicated faculty, and of course an orchestra that made me look very good indeed!
	Kaili Ho (Class of 2017) – Joint Honours Bachelor of Music in piano performance, The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore. Mastering Concertos is a remarkably holistic program that you cannot find in other places. As a soloist l received exceptional instruction from my professor, and I obtained a lot of knowledge of how to interact with the conductor. It was an intense two weeks of rehearsal with the orchestra but in an extremely positive and cordial environment. An experience that l will never forget throughout my musical career and journey!
	Brandon Horrocks (Class of 2018) – Associate Conductor, Utah Philharmonic Orchestra; Choir Section Leader, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City My experience at the Prelude Academy was truly profound. The musicians we worked with were very professional and friendly and prided themselves on being supportive, helpful, and musical. Working with Dr. Gambetta was very rewarding as well. His encouraging mentoring, relaxed style and approach to conducting and movement were exactly what I needed,. This program has been the springboard for my path back into classical music from singer to conductor. I highly recommend this program and look forward to returning.
	Alexander Kahn (Class of 2007) – Director of Orchestral Activities, Sonoma State University, CA,. An excellent workshop. The combination of great teaching, a collegial environment and extensive podium time including concerts makes this workshop one of the best bargains out there.
	Yorgos Kouritas (Class of 2007) – Director of Instrumental Studies, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA; Music Director, Boise Philharmonic Youth Orhestra; Assistant Conductor, Boise Philharmonic, ID; 2012 American Prize in Conducting 2nd Place; 2010 Lorin Maazel Conducting Fellow. I had a great time in Bacau and learned a lot during my two weeks there. The teachers were fabulous, and the orchestra was great to work with. It was a real conducting experience and I would love to come back one day!
	Francis Ku (Class of 2016-17) - Graduate Assistant Conductor, University of Texas at Arlington; Winner, 2017 Advanced Conducting Academy Outstanding Conductor Award. The Advanced Conducting Academy is one of the most intensive conducting workshops I have ever attended. Under the coaching by the three maestros, my fundamentals became much more solid, and I corrected lots of bad habits on stage. The orchestra was incredible. The time we spent on conducting techniques every day was extremely valuable. Highly recommended.
	Alicja Kudlaty (Class of 2017) – Violin student, University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz, Austria; First Violin, Styria Youth Orchestra (Austria) I had a wonderful time at Mastering Concertos. I was given the exceptional opportunity to play 2 complete concertos with professional orchestra. Prof. Percan and the conducting faculty gave me extremely valuable input during rehearsals and private lessons. The positive atmosphere and learning environment help me gain confidence on the stage, and I got to meet and share the experience with students from all over the world.
	Vincent Lalire (Class of 2018-19) – Professor, French School of Palma Majorca; Professor, Conservatoire de LAON; Solo Trombone, Opéra de Reims. Le stage de Baccau est une incroyable expérience autant humaine (les gens sont très cultivés et gentils) que qualitative. Le temps de travail avec sextette et orchestre est impressionnant, et tous les étudiants dirigent 2 des 4 concerts publics. Ajoutez à cela que les professeurs sont dévoués et très compétents. Maître Gambetta a développé un système d'enseignement basé sur les principes des études du mouvement de Laban. Cette méthode de Embodied Conducting doit être connue! Pour ces raisons, l'institut est phénoménal!
	Heahter Lanners (Class of 2016) – Assistant Professor of Piano at the Greenwood School of Music, Oklahoma State University; President-Elect; Oklahoma Music Teachers Association. The 2016 Mastering Concertos course was truly a unique learning experience. What an incredibly creative concept Robert Gutter and Charles Gambetta developed for young professionals. Meeting numerous times with orchestra and sextet allowed me to develop my interpretation and effectively communicate with the conductor. I was so fortunate to be there with my wonderful colleague Christopher Haygood and to interact with all of the soloists and conductors. Pianist Mattia Ometto was a terrific inspiration as well!
	David Lester (Class of 2018) – Freelance double bassist and conducting student of Glenn Quader. The Advanced Conducting Academy was a fantastic opportunity to work with a top-notch orchestra in a warmly collegial environment. Over the course of the workshop, I made great strides in learning to remove tension from my body and use body weight to my advantage, and to conduct with more clarity and simplicity.
	Jackson Leung (Class of 2014) – Coordinator of Keyboard Studies and Chamber Orchestra Director, Wright State University (OH). An excellent workshop with wonderful maestros and a phenomenal orchestra! The instructions I received were thought-provoking and exceedingly beneficial, enhancing my ability to communicate the music I feel so deeply. It feels like I have taken my conducting to a dry cleaner. The institute should be called "An institute of freeing the caged birds!
	Steven Loy (Class of 2011) – Conductor, Slovenian ensemble MD7; Masters candidate in conducting, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA; recipient of the International Institute for Conductors 2011 Outstanding Student Conductor Award. The Institute has so many things going for it, I don’t know where to begin. If I had to choose one, the congenial, supportive, family-like atmosphere is what separates it from others I attended. That friendly, respectful spirit is what made everything else possible, what opens one’s ears to perhaps career-changing suggestions from faculty and fellow participants, and what makes learning and developing one’s talent and ambition a pleasure.
	Paul McShee (Class of 2011) – Graduate Assistant Conductor, University of Connecticut. The International Institute for Conductors was a truly meaningful experience. The faculty really hone in on the issues and needs of each student allowing for a great experience. Additionally, Maestro Gambetta’s sessions on Laban Movement Studies provide an eye-opening perspective on the conductor’s movements. The extensive time on the podium and the supportive, collegial environment make this workshop one of the best out there.
	Sixto Federico Montesinos (Class of 2010) – Graduate Assistant Conductor, University of Texas at Arlington. My time in Bacau changed my life. The musicians in the orchestra and concerto soloists are extremely supportive and great to work with. The faculty was a pleasure to work with and cared about each and every one of the participants. I look forward to coming back in the future.
	Patrick Murray (Class of 2015) – Principal Assistant Conductor, Yale Camerata; Conductor, Marquand Chapel Choir; Founding Music Director, FAWN Chamber Creative (Toronto). My Institute experience provided a formative bridge between orchestral and choral conducting that is often hard to find in choral conducting graduate programs. The faculty and students were incredibly supportive, and I appreciated the focus on each participant's individual development. The Bacau Philharmonic Orchestra and Iasi Moldova Philharmonic Choir were musically responsive professionals and warmly welcoming people. This was one of my most enjoyable and instructive summer workshop experiences!
	Elisabetta Nardulli (Class of 2012) – Director, String Orchestra Symphonie, Conservatory Piccinni, Bari, Italy; recipient of the International Institute for Conductors 2012 Outstanding Student Conductor Award. The International Institute for Conductors in Bacau gives students the maximum experience through the teaching methods of three great Maestri—Balan, Gutter and Gambetta—who complement each other perfectly. The organization of the course was impeccable. The level of the Philharmonic was excellent, and my fellow conductors were very helpful, interesting people; good musicians who have become dear friends.
	Kira Omelchenko (Class of 2017) – Winner 2017 Mastering Concertos Outstanding Conductor Award; Associate Professor of Music, Conductor of the Laurier Symphony Orchestra, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada. The Mastering Concertos workshop was such a positive and impactful experience! The faculty were so encouraging and helped me think of my conducting from a new perspective. The sessions provided lots of hands-on experience with the orchestra and soloists. This is definitely a workshop I will never forget!
	Andre Oosthuizen (Class of 2018) – Symphony orchestra and symphonic wind ensemble conductor, North-West University; Co-Conductor North-West Youth Orchestra, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The Advanced Conducting Academy was a valuable experience with teachers who really care about the progress of all the attendees. Their passion for music is truly inspiring and the orchestra is a lovely ensemble to work with that make learning easy. The entire course had a feeling of positive collaboration and learning with a great social atmosphere.
	Xavier Pagès i Corella (Class of 2007) – Conductor, Cobla Sant Jordi, City of Barcelona; Assistant Conductor, National Youth Orchestra of Catalonia; Winner, 17th International Composition Competition, City of Tarragona. My attendance at the International Institute for Conductors was a major turning point in my conducting career. I appreciate very much the coaching of the artist faculty and the positive attitude of the Bacau Philharmonic and staff towards the students.
	Justin Pambianchi (Class of 2013) – Graduate conductor, Master of Music candidate, Cleveland Institute of Music, Ohio. The International Institute for Conductors is one of the greatest programs out there. Participants are mentored by three outstanding pedagogues and given the opportunity to work with a very good, supportive orchestra. In my two weeks in Bacau, I have seen a big change in my technique, and all of my colleagues at the Institute have improved tremendously. I am very happy and proud to say I attended this program and highly recommend it to anyone thinking of pursuing studies or pursuing a career in conducting!
	Ian Passmore (Class of 2010) – Assistant Conductor, Omaha Symphony (Nebraska) The workshop in Bacau was invaluable, as it was my first experience conducting a professional orchestra. The players and faculty were uniformly excellent, and I cannot think of another summer program that allows as much time in front of the orchestra. Highly recommended!
	Maxwell Phillips (Class of 2014) – Music Director, Mozart Society Orchestra and the Dunster House Opera; Conductor, Harvard Early Music Society. The Institute was a valuable opportunity for growth in my conducting. Two weeks working with three helpful teachers and a very responsive orchestra allowed me to learn and experiment in an intense but always comfortable environment.
	Joel Plaag (Class of 2006/09) – Director of Choral Studies, Blinn College, Brenham, TX. These three instructors do not merely teach conducting; they mentor. The orchestra was top-notch; always professional and always played at their best. This workshop has not only changed the way I approach conducting, but the way I teach it as well. The large amount of podium time, supportive environment and knowledgeable faculty make this workshop outstanding, and I highly recommend it to other conductors!
	Glenn Quader (Class of 2003) – Music Director, Piedmont Symphony Orchestra; Staff Conductor, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (VA); Conductor, American Studio Orchestra. The Institute workshop was the most valuable training I have ever participated in. The teachers were all exceptional and delivered everything one could hope for in building every aspect of an aspiring conductor. The information I gained is still at the forefront of my approach in all of my conducting today. If you want real world experience and critical feedback, then this is by far one of the best workshops to be a part of.
	Robert Ragoonanan (Class of 2015/18) – Music Director and Organist at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, MN. Freelance conductor, pianist, organist, and harpsichordist in the Twin Cities area. The Advanced Conducting Academy is an excellent program with a fantastic orchestra that attentively follows the conductor. Great instruction from the Maestros Gambetta and Balan, particularly regarding the physical embodiment of the music and relieving stress and tension while conducting. The opportunity to work on recits and arias with such talented singers is also a huge plus.
	Tim Ribchester (Class of 2015) – Faculty Conductor & Vocal Coach, Mezzano Music Festival, Italy. The Advanced Conducting Academy was by far the most useful, thorough, and enjoyable of the symphonic conducting workshops I’ve attended, both in the US and abroad. It offers substantial podium time and thus the chance to build a relationship with an established orchestra; insightful and sensitive teaching from a variety of faculty perspectives and a very supportive group of conductor colleagues who were all focused on learning and improving together. . Concerts are also a very important element as well as the chance to work with solo singers and instrumentalists of a high caliber.
	Bernardo Santos (Class of 2017) – Winner, 2017 Mastering Concertos Outstanding Soloist Award; Graduate student in piano pedagogy and researcher, University of Aveiro (Portugal); Graduate student in piano performance, Conservatori del Liceu, Barcelona. Mastering Concertos turned out to be very important for my artistic development. As a soloist it was the first time I had the opportunity to work with an orchestra for almost two weeks! So much work time is hardly given for any concert anywhere nowadays. The coaching given by the faculty proved to be inspiring and extremely wise. All this along with a very friendly environment makes Mastering Concertos a unique event with no equal anywhere.
	Thanapol Setabrahmana (Class of 2013) – Director of Bands, College of Music, Mahidol University, Thailand. This masterclass is one of the best I have attended - best organizing, best repertoire list. Podium time is ideal. Receiving instruction and guidance from three different teachers is also very helpful. It was a great two weeks spent to hone the conducting skills and gain experience.
	Dawn Sonntag (Class of 2016) – Chair, Hiram College Music Department); Director, Chamber Singers & Western Reserve Women's Choir. As a composer this course gave me the opportunity to explore the perspective of orchestral musicians and allowed me to intensively study orchestral repertory in a way that is only possible from the podium. As a choral conductor it gave me important insights on what instrumentalists need to see when I am conducting choral-orchestral works. Students receive generous amounts of podium time, and I don't think there is another program where students can get more one-on-one mentoring and feedback regarding gestural clarity and expressiveness. The opportunity to experience Romanian culture, food and hospitality for two weeks during this program as well makes this a unique and culturally valuable program that is second to none.
	Larry Spell (Class of 2008-09, 11) – Music Director and Conductor, Wasatch Symphony Orchestra ( UT); Assistant Conductor, Salt Lake City Symphony. The clear advantage of this program is the vast and diverse knowledge of the three faculty members. I was also impressed with the large amount of time you have in front of the orchestra. I highly recommend this workshop to conductors of all levels of experience.
	Jeffrey Spenner (Class of 2008) – Assistant Conductor, Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra (MI); Founder/Music Director, Bay Area Summer Music Festival (MI); Music Director, Rockford Community Orchestra; Music Director, Borgess Resounding Spirit Choir (MI). The International Institute for Conductors was a wonderful experience. The time in front of a professional orchestra conducting great pieces is truly invaluable, and that podium time really makes this the quality experience it is!
	Ludovic Tallarico (Class of 2018) – Professeur de Saxophone, Académie de musique et de danse de Monaco Mon séjour à Kiato lors de la Prelude Academy de 2018 a été pour moi une richesse humaine et musicale. J'ai pu bénéficier d'une formation de qualité dispensée par Charles Gambetta, pédagogue passionné, très investi et très compétent. Il a pu me transmettre les gestes de base de la direction et me donner des éléments pertinents pour approfondir ma méthodologie. La présence d'un petit ensemble composé de musiciens professionnels expérimentés a permis une situation adaptée au niveau de chaque élève en abordant le répertoire symphonique. Ce stage restera pour moi un moment important et mémorable de ma carrière de musicien.
	Adrian Tan (Class of 2009) – Recipient of the International Institute for Conductors 2009 Outstanding Student Conductor Award; Music Director, Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra, Singapore. What distinguishes the Institute is the genuine interest the faculty takes in each participant. The musicians of the Bacau Philharmonic are highly professional and truly responsive. They give their all in every session. The supportive atmosphere, ample podium time and weeky orchestra concerts make this a worthwhile experience for any conductor who wants to spend some quality time working on his craft.
	Suthipong Tantivanichkij (Class of 2017) – Assistant Conductor, Thammasat University Symphony Orchestra (Thailand); Music Director & Conductor, WHY Ensemble (Thailand); Violin Teacher, Albyrd Violin Studio. Mastering Concertos is an excellent and very special course that you cannot find anywhere else. It was a great 2 weeks spent honing conducting skills and gaining experience rehearsing and performing with orchestra and soloist. The Embodied Conducting classes helped improve my conducting a lot, and Maestro Gambetta and Dr. Spell were great teachers. I recommend Mastering Concertos for any conductor who plans to move up to a professional career.
	Ty Turley-Trejo (Class of 2015) – Music Director, Utah Philharmonic. I had a magnificent experience in Bacau. I came away from it with noticeable skills and expanded application. The three maestros offered unique, comprehensive perspectives, which is highly advantageous at a conducting workshop. If you're looking for unparalleled one-on-one instruction, lots of podium time, concerts, and networking with wonderful colleagues this is your ticket.
	Patrick Valentino (Class of 2010) – Assistant Conductor, Neponset Valley (MA) Philharmonic; Founder & Director, Music from St. Margaret Mary’s Concert Series; Music Director, St. Margaret Mary Parish. The Institute is unique in several ways. Each conductor chooses his/her repertoire from a wide and varied list that includes large works not often included in workshop repertoire. The faculty take different but complimentary approaches to aid the conductors. The orchestra is completely dedicated to the purpose of the workshop, which is to educate and enrich the participants.
	Daniel Whisler (Class of 2012) – Director of Orchestras, Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KY. The Institute is a great environment whether one is looking to refine technique, build a repertoire list, prepare specific pieces for contests or auditions or just network with colleagues from around the globe. It truly is an international experience. The faculty members’ approaches are varied enough that conductors of any skill level could find tangible ways to improve. Put this workshop on your list!
	Eytan Wurman (Class of 2019) – Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Dedham Public Schools. The Advanced Conducting Academy is an intense immersive experience in score study and conducting. The opportunity to conduct an ensemble at this level is a privilege, and the Embodied Conducting methodology gives us all a chance to truly explore and tackle the habits that hinder our physical freedom as conductors. The friendships I have built in this program will last a lifetime.
	Edward Yeo (Class of 2018) – Conducting student at Julliard Evening Division; Clarinetist, Montclair State University, New Jersey. Mastering Concertos was truly amazing. The level of personal instruction is unmatched, and the podium time was more generous than any other program I've attended. Maestro Gambetta’s Embodied Conducting classes helped me deepen my understanding of how the body works when I conduct. The tools and exercises I learned made it possible for me to look at myself critically and eliminate unproductive, distracting elements from my conducting.
	Caleb Young (Class of 2010) – Graduate conducting student, Indiana University; Co-Music Director, Capstone Chamber Orchestra; Guest Conductor, Tuscaloosa Youth Symphony, the Capstone Brass Choir and the Alabama Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. The time I spent in Romania at the International Institute was life changing. This pilgrimage is a must!
	Bryan Zaros (Class of 2014-15) – Conductor, Connecticut Men's Chorus, Hartt School of Music (CT); Director of Choral Activities, Avon Old Farms School (CT). I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Institute. The podium time is unmatched; the repertoire list was extensive, and the opportunity to have the insights of three great conductors was invaluable. The Bacau Philharmonic was wonderful to work with, supportive during the learning process and very responsive in concert. Overall, the experience was very positive and rewarding and I would consider returning in the future.