Ballet West is pleased to announce the recent appointment of renowned conductor Tara Simoncic as music director.
Simoncic has collaborated with Ballet West since 2012 on productions of “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Rite of Spring,” “Bolero” and “The Lottery.”
With an impressive career that ranges from symphony to opera to ballet, she has established herself at the forefront of young American conductors.
“I’m so pleased to welcome Tara Simoncic to the Ballet West family as our new music director and principal conductor,” said Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute. “Over the past several years I have brought Tara in for a number of projects and her musicianship, energy and commitment have galvanized our wonderful Ballet West Orchestra. With a team of Tara and Associate Music Director Jared Oaks leading the Music department, I am excited for the future.”
Equally at home with all genres, Simoncic recently conducted performances of “Don Giovanni” in Trieste, Italy, at the Piccolo Festival del Friuli Venezia Giulia. She has also conducted “The Barber of Seville” with Slovenian National Opera Ballet Theatre.
“I am thrilled to be appointed Music Director at Ballet West, one of the most exciting and important ballet companies in America,” said Simoncic, who has worked with American Ballet Theatre, Rioult Dance Theatre Company, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Chuvash State Opera Ballet Theatre (Russia) and the Slovenia National Opera Ballet Theatre among others.
She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the New England Conservatory, a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University, and received a full scholarship to study at the Manhattan School of Music where she holds a Professional Studies Diploma in Orchestral Conducting.
For more information, visit www.balletwest.org.