Introducing Our Extraordinary New English Horn Player, Kyungyeon Hong

Hailing from Seoul, South Korea, Kyungyeon Hong brings a dynamic presence to the Sinfonietta. Trained under the esteemed Misung Lee at Yonsei University (South Korea) and mentored by Alex Klein at DePaul University in Chicago, Hong's journey is marked by a deep commitment to musical excellence.

Her passion for orchestral performance has led her to collaborate with local ensembles such as the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and Chicago's own Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra. Notably, she was a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago during the 2022-23 season.

Join us in welcoming Kyungyeon Hong to our musical family as she embarks on this exciting new chapter with us!

A Year in Review with our Freeman Fellowship Conductors!

Celebrating the successes of the next generation of conductors

The Sinfonietta is celebrating the exceptional achievements of our Freeman Fellows! This 23/24 season, eight alums of our Freeman Fellowship Conducting Program have secured music directorships, while four have taken on assistant or associate conductor roles, and three have earned prestigious fellowships. These achievements exemplify Sinfonietta’s commitment to supporting a new generation of diverse emerging artists.

Music/Artistic Directorships

Kedrick Armstrong, Music Director, Oakland Symphony announced April ‘24

Roderick Cox, Music Director, Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier Occitanie, beginning September 2024; announced April ‘24

Juliano Dutra Aniceto, new conductor of New England Conservatory’s YPO in the newly created role of Director of Orchestras announced June ‘24

Taichi Fukumura, Music Director, Illinois Symphony Orchestra announced June ‘24

Alejandro Gómez Guillén, Director of Orchestras, Arizona State University’s School of Music, Dance and Theatre announced March ‘24

Kellen Gray, 6th conductor and Artistic Director of Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, announced June ‘24

Roger Kalia, Artistic Director Designate, Terre Haute Symphony, beginning September ‘25

Sameer Patel, Music Director, California's La Jolla Symphony and Chorus announced July ‘23

Assistant Conductorships

Juliano Dutra Aniceto, hired as Marin Alsop’s assistant conductor at Ravinia with the Chicago Symphony starting summer 2024

Antoine T. Clark, promoted to Associate Conductor with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra for the 2023-24 season

Kyle Dickson, named Assistant Conductor (Madeleine Luce Moore Assistant Conductor Chair) and Conductor of the Memphis Symphony Youth Orchestra for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Jherrard Hardeman, named Assistant Conductor, Rochester Philharmonic (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Education and Community Engagement Chair) and Music Director, RPYO in 2023

Fellowships

Michelle Di Russo, named recipient of a 2023 Summer Lucerne Festival Conducting Fellowship; named one of 18 recipients of a prestigious 2024 Solti US Career Assistance Award

Jessica Rivero, Freeman Conducting Fellow Auditor named 2023-24 New Jersey Symphony Colton Conducting Fellow

Taichi Fukumura, one of 18 recipients of a prestigious 2024 Solti US Career Assistance Award (his fourth); named one of 22 recipients of a prestigious 2023 Solti US Career Assistance Award

Introducing Amber Broderick, Our new Director of Marketing and Patron Services!

Join us in welcoming our new Director of Marketing and Patron Services, Amber Broderick! A passionate music educator and historian, Broderick has over a decade of experience teaching at the collegiate level and at community music schools. She turned to arts administration to share the life-changing power of classical music.

A musician herself, Amber is a semi-professional flutist and performs with the West Suburban Flute Orchestra.

Broderick holds a Master’s in Music History from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and completed doctoral coursework in Musicology at the University of North Texas, Denton (all but dissertation). A versatile presenter, Amber has shared her music appreciation classes throughout the US, Canada, and Ireland.

Sinfonietta at The White House!

CEO & President Blake-Anthony Johnson in D.C.

Sinfonietta CEO & President Blake-Anthony Johnson recently visited D.C. and reflected upon the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States (Obergefell v. Hodges) in 2015.

This liberty is perhaps best summarized by former President Obama: “This decision confirms that when all Americans are treated equally, we are all more free.”

Chicago Sinfonietta has had the honor of marking incredible moments of inclusion by performing at the inauguration of Chicago's first openly gay Mayor, as well as being a part of the celebrations welcoming incoming freshman aldermen who now make up the “LGBT Caucus” -nine city council members, the largest of its kind in the country.

Chicago is extremely fortunate to have elected officials and civically engaged individuals who don’t take these rights for granted and fight 365 days a year for generations to come. This dedication ultimately makes our city and country a better place.

Mr. Johnson often receives from young students around the country regarding their real fear that their talents and potential won’t be fully realized due to a stifling environment of regressive and dangerous laws removed from the practice of humanity. These laws not only put millions of individuals in danger but also remove opportunities for our communities and country in the long term.

The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago understand the importance of striving to champion all Americans. It’s a long road ahead, but we proudly sit at the table of leaders. A key element of our incredible workforce and quality of life is our right to live freely. In this country, many rights are easy to take for granted. The Chicago Sinfonietta remains true to its mission of providing diverse, equitable, and inclusive experiences through bold symphonic music, and champions emerging and underrepresented voices.

Pictured: Pete Buttigieg & Chasten Buttigieg (Secretary - U.S. Department of Transportation - Office of the Under Secretary for Policy); Kevin Morrison (Board Commissioner, 15th District at Cook County Government); Precious Brady-Davis (Commissioner of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago & Chief Strategy Officer, at Center on Halsted); Myles Brady Davis (Human Rights Activist); Brian C. Johnson (CEO of Equality Illinois); Manny Ruiz Velasco (Deputy Director of Equality Illinois); Denise Poloyac (Regional Field Director, National Wildlife Federation); Abby Pucker (CEO of GERTIE); Cortlyn Kelly (Chief of Staff of CEO of Gertie.Co) + Chicago 2024 Host Committee Members

S/O to the City of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Caucus: Lamont J. Robinson Robinson (4th), Raymond Lopez (15th), Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th), Rossana R. (33rd), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), Bennett Lawson (44th), Timmy Knudsen (43rd), and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th), Maria Hadden (49th).

7 things about CS Bass Christian Dillingham

Get to know the artists who bring our stories, and music, to life.

1 - When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

While in high school, I realized my bass teacher played music for a living. Discovering that was an option sealed the deal for me.

2 - Fave thing to do when not performing?

Playing basketball, seeing comedy shows, and discovering great restaurants.

7 - What appeals most to you about Chicago Sinfonietta?

The principle concept of Paul Freeman's vision.

Abbreviated. Visit our Facebook page for the full interview!

BOLD. INNOVATIVE. INCLUSIVE. YOU!

With your support, the Chicago Sinfonietta can continue to offer: transcendent concert experiences, life-changing education programs, inclusive community engagement, brilliant musicians and guest artists, all at an affordable price! We invite you to Play Your Part https://loom.ly/9CHSjGM and support us today!

Give today