NAN WASHBURN
Conductor, Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra
Winner of the American Prize in Orchestral Conducting, professional division, The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music, professional division, and 19 ASCAP awards for Adventurous Programming from the League American Orchestras, Nan is one of the most innovative and dynamic conductors working in the US today. Critics have hailed her work as having “perspicacity, nerve, and all-around savvy” for her fresh approach to concert programming.
Nan earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her Master’s degree in performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. A professional flutist for many years, Washburn began her studies in conducting in 1984 with Denis de Coteau at CSU Hayward, continued with Harold Farberman at the Conductors Institute and at the Aspen Festival with Paul Vermel. Nan has also participated in several masterclasses with world class directors.
Washburn first came to national attention as a co-founder, the Artistic Director, and Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Women’s Philharmonic from 1980 to 1990.
For five years Nan was the Artistic Director and Conductor of the West Hollywood Orchestra. She also held the posts as Music Director of Orchestra at Sonoma, the Camellia Symphony in Sacramento as well as Principal Conductor of the Channell Islands Symphony, the Acalanes Chamber Orchestra, and San Francisco State University Orchestra. She made her opera conducting debut with the full production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel with the El Dorado Opera Company (LA). Washburn has conducted numerous orchestras throughout the United States.
The Michigan Philharmonic is in its 76th year with Nan in her 23rd season as Music Director. Under her leadership, the orchestra has experienced unprecedented growth in artistic excellence and in the scope and diversity of its programs throughout Southeast Michigan. National recognition for the orchestra during Washburn’s tenure includes 6 ASCAP awards, several prestigious grants from the Knight Foundations and second place honors from the American Prize, professional orchestra division.
Websites at:
www.michiganphil.org
nanwashburn.com
A small group from the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra perform at the Ford House Tunes from the Terrace Series. They will return on August 11, 2022, with the number of musicians determined by the Ford House budget.
A small group from the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra perform at the Ford House Tunes from the Terrace Series. They will return on August 11, 2022, with the number of musicians determined by the Ford House budget.