Leif Bjaland was named the

artistic director An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre or dance company, who handles the organization's artistic direction. They are generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the ...

and

conductor Conductor or conduction may refer to: Music * Conductor (music), a person who leads a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra. * ''Conductor'' (album), an album by indie rock band The Comas * Conduction, a type of structured free improvisation ...

of the Florida West Coast Symphony in 1997. He is also serving his 22nd season as the artistic director of the Waterbury Symphony in Waterbury, Connecticut. After receiving a master's degree in music from the University of Michigan, he began his career at Yale University, directing the Yale Symphony Orchestra through many successful programs, including a tour of Europe in 1985. Bjaland has conducted and/or directed many illustrious orchestras throughout the world, including the Pacific Music Festival in Japan (for which he was selected by

Leonard Bernstein Leonard Bernstein ( ; August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian. Considered to be one of the most important conductors of his time, he was the first America ...

and Michael Tilson Thomas), the New World Symphony in Miami, and the

Chicago Symphony The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenure ...

as part of the American Conductors Program. His various guest appearances include the Kalamazoo Symphony, the World Youth Symphony at Interlochen, the National Symphony, and the New Zealand Symphony.5295 Partners
/ref> In addition to his orchestral endeavors, Maestro Bjaland has operatic conducting experience. He has directed many different operas at the Glimmerglass Opera and the Philippines Opera Company, amongst others.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bjaland, Leif American male conductors (music) Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Place of birth missing (living people) University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance alumni Yale University staff 21st-century American conductors (music) 21st-century American male musicians 20th-century American conductors (music) 20th-century American male musicians