Dudamel Fellows: A Launchpad for Conducting Careers

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, has announced its four Dudamel Fellows for the 2024/25 season. This prestigious program serves as a springboard for emerging conductors, offering valuable experience and mentorship to shape future musical leaders.

This year's cohort boasts a diverse group of talented individuals:

Holly Hyun Choe: Born in South Korea and raised in Los Angeles, Choe brings a wealth of experience to the program. She currently serves as principal conductor of the chamber orchestra Ensemble Reflektor and Artiste Associé for L’Orchestre de Chambre de Genève. Her impressive resume includes previous roles as assistant conductor of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under Paavo Järvi, recognition from the German Music Council’s Grant Forum Dirigieren (2018), and receiving the Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award and the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship. Choe also participated in the Peter Eötvös Foundation Mentoring Programme.

Dayner Tafur-Díaz: Hailing from Peru, Tafur-Díaz has quickly made a name for himself in the conducting world. He recently won the German Conducting Award (October 2023), secured First Prize in the second edition of the International Opera Conducting Competition of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège (Belgium, August 2022), and achieved Second Prize in the conducting competition of the University of Almería (Spain, November 2022). Tafur-Díaz was also selected as one of 20 finalists in the 2023 Mahler Competition, showcasing his talent on a global stage.

Luis Castillo-Briceño: From Costa Rica, Castillo-Briceño currently serves as the Conducting Fellow of the London Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2023/24 season. His achievements include being an Equilibrium Young Artist mentored by Barbara Hannigan and a designated winner in the Rotterdam International Conducting Competition 2025.

Molly Turner: A Chinese-born conductor and composer from Tacoma, Washington, Turner brings a unique perspective to the fellowship. She holds the position of Conducting Fellow with the New World Symphony and studied under the guidance of Esa-Pekka Salonen as a Salonen Fellow at the Colburn School’s Conservatory of Music.

The Dudamel Fellows program provides a platform for these talented individuals to gain invaluable experience, refine their skills, and further develop their artistic vision under the mentorship of renowned conductors and orchestras. This program has consistently launched the careers of promising conductors, making it a highly sought-after opportunity in the classical music world. For more information about the Dudamel Fellows, visit [insert link here].