Kourner Hall
Toronto
NYO Musicians
Photo supplied by: Dahlia Katz
In a groundbreaking moment for classical music in Canada, the National Youth Orchestra named Naomi Woo as its first female music director in December. Woo is a bilingual conductor with a PhD in music from the University of Cambridge, making her herself an impressive addition to the orchestra for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.
Woo’s musical journey includes collaborations with renowned groups such as the Toronto, Vancouver and Regina Symphony orchestras and the Calgary Philharmonic. Working closely with her mentor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, she also joined the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montreal as an artistic partner and the Philadelphia Orchestra as assistant conductor.
Heralded as a rising star classical in music, it seems fitting for Woo to mentor the next generation of musicians.
“I know that seeing people who look like you in positions of leadership is something that makes young people feel safe, it’s something that makes me feel safe,” said Woo. “It’s something that opens up young people’s imagination about what might be possible for them.”
Beyond conducting roles, Woo served as the music director of the University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra until 2023. As the first music director of Sistema Winnipeg and assistant conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, she played a pivotal role in shaping the musical landscape in the province.
Founded in 1960 by former Toronto Symphony Orchestra music director Walter Susskind, NYOC is recognized as the nation’s premier training ground for young classical musicians. The organization is eager to witness Woo’s transformative influence on the orchestra.
“Especially for the girls and young women in the orchestra, I do think that it’s so inspiring to have a woman in leadership,” said Christie Gray, chief executive officer of NYOC. “If you can see it, you can be it.”
Woo is also enthusiastic about the challenge. She is nonetheless surprised these “firsts” are still happening.
“The opportunity to be part of that feels very exciting and also like a really big responsibility,” she said. “Something that I take really seriously is what my role can be in shaping this really pivotal moment in young people’s lives.”
NYO Canada has stated its commitment to providing a comprehensive, tuition-free program for young musicians, which they do by providing personal scholarships to each orchestra member. Beyond the orchestra members, the organization wants more people to hear live music. Last year, for example, NYOC introduced the pay-what-you-can pricing model that enables audience participation regardless of financial limitations.
The 2024 Horizon Tour under Woo’s leadership will include performances in Ontario (Kingston, Parry Sound and Tronto), Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Banff and Calgary. The orchestra will play on July 31, at the Bella Concert Hall in Calgary.