Conducting Fellowship

New World Symphony Conducting Fellowship

Work with Stéphane Denève, guest conductors from around the world, and one of the leading orchestral training institutions in the United States.

Founded in 1987 by Michael Tilson Thomas and now led by Artistic Director Stéphane Denève, the New World Symphony prepares exceptional musicians for careers of leadership in orchestras and ensembles worldwide.

NWS offers a one-year Conducting Fellowship for an emerging conductor who has completed at least a bachelor’s degree and is not currently enrolled in a degree program. The Conducting Fellow works closely with Stéphane Denève and NWS visiting conductors throughout the season, while gaining substantial hands-on experience with the New World Symphony in concerts, rehearsals, and orchestral reading sessions.

The fellowship combines podium experience, mentorship, professional development, and the opportunity to work within a dynamic community of emerging orchestral musicians.

Benefits include:

• Weekly stipend: $656/week for 35 weeks, based on the 2025–26 season rate, to support living expenses.

• Housing: Fully furnished private apartment provided by NWS.

• Podium experience: Opportunities to conduct the New World Symphony in concerts, rehearsals, and reading sessions throughout the season.

• Artistic mentorship: Regular work with Stéphane Denève and internationally recognized visiting conductors and artists.

• Audition leave: Paid time off for three professional auditions each year, with additional unpaid leave available.

• Professional development funding: Support for audition travel, private coaching, wellness, performance psychology, fitness, and other professional-development needs.

• BLUE, Leadership & Entrepreneurship: Hands-on training in innovation, project development, arts leadership, and Fellow-led initiatives, with funding available for selected projects.

• Community engagement: Opportunities in teaching, mentorship, outreach, and educational programming throughout the Miami community and online.

• Relocation support: $350 travel grant for incoming Fellows.

• Instrument support: Primary-instrument insurance, optional additional coverage, and access to no-interest instrument loans through completion of the fellowship.

• International applicants welcome: NWS welcomes candidates from around the world and sponsors F-1 student visas for Fellows when applicable.

NWS is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The Conducting Fellowship offers an unusually immersive opportunity to develop as a conductor, collaborator, educator, and artistic leader while working alongside the musicians and conductors shaping the future of the orchestral field.