An artist of impeccable musical credentials, Joshua Gersen is widely respected as an engaging and inspiring conductor, able to communicate effortlessly with both young and established orchestras internationally. He made his debut as a conductor at the early age of 11 and has established himself as a dynamic presence on the podium.

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Joshua recently concluded his tenure as the Assistant Conductor of the New York Philharmonic, where he most notably made his subscription debut at just a few hours’ notice. “Impassioned and incisive,” wrote The New York Times, “the performance earned a standing ovation and prolonged applause from his colleagues in the orchestra.”  

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Joshua works frequently at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, Boston University, and the Curtis Institute of Music. During his time with the New York Philharmonic, he also conducted many of the orchestra’s celebrated Young People’s Concerts and worked extensively with programs which provide music education for students in underserved communities across New York City. 

 

Joshua studied composition with Michael Gandolfi at the New England Conservatory of Music before studying conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music. He conducted several world premieres of new works with the New York Youth Symphony and has collaborated with many prominent contemporary composers including John Adams, Steve Reich, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Jennifer Higdon, and Mason Bates. He is particularly committed to featuring works by the newer generation of composers, such as Gabriella Smith, Valerie Coleman, Carlos Simon, and Chris Rogerson, among others.

 

He remains passionate about the core classical repertoire, in particular the German and Russian masters, as well as the classic American composers including Copland, Gershwin, Barber and Bernstein.

 

Joshua continues to enjoy successful relationships with orchestras including particularly the New World Symphony, North Carolina Symphony and San Francisco Symphony. Other recent guest conducting appearances include with the Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Hannover Opera, New Jersey Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Charlotte Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival and recently debuted with the Louisiana Philharmonic and Ann Arbor Symphony.

 

He also crossed the pond to Ireland to make his debut with the RTE Concert Orchestra in May 2023 and was a great hit so immediately re-invited in September 2023. He is the recipient of a 2015 and 2016 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award.