On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Mélisse Brunet, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks VI: Brahms' A German Requim and is also a CSO Music Director finalist for the 2026-2027 season. Renowned for her “uncommon emotional intensity” and commanding presence on the podium, conductor Mélisse Brunet is gaining international recognition across the U.S. and Europe. A Paris native with Spanish and Italian roots, she currently serves as Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic—the first woman to hold the role—and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. Brunet is also featured in the documentary Maestra, which follows her journey at the La Maestra competition and earned 2nd place in the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary, alongside widespread acclaim from major media outlets. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change we welcome Lighthouse Ministries Executive Director, Darin Nissley, who has been a longtime supporter and friend of the CSO. Lighthouse Ministries has been serving the youth of Southeast Canton since 1996, providing a safe and supportive environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive. What began as a simple vision - a basketball court and teen center next to First Mennonite Church - quickly grew into a vibrant community program offering after-school care, tutoring, youth ministry clubs, summer enrichment, and service opportunities. Today, Lighthouse impacts dozens of children daily through its programming and is supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, continuing its mission to invest in the lives of young people and strengthen the community. Learn more about Lighthouse Ministries at https://cantonlighthouse.org/ Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Roger Kalia, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks IV: Orchestral Kaleidoscope. Praised for bringing a “fresh view to classical music” (The Republic), Indian American conductor Roger Kalia is a versatile communicator who brings unique and unmistakable energy to the podium. Recently profiled by Symphony Magazine in recognition of his innovative programming, Kalia has been hailed as“leading with passionate intensity and a clear beat” as well as being “one to watch” (Long Beach Gazette). Kalia is now in his fifth season as Music Director of the Evansville Philharmonic, his sixth season as Music Director of Symphony New Hampshire, and in his seventh season with Orchestra Santa Monica. He was most recently appointed Artistic Director Designate of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra for the 2024-25 season, and he will assume the role of Artistic Director during the 2025-26 season. The recipient of several awards from the Solti Foundation, including an Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency with Lyric Opera of Chicago and five Career Assistance Awards, Kalia has been praised for his “extraordinary leadership” (Courier & Press). Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Tito Muñoz, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks III: Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet. Praised for his versatility, technical clarity, and keen musical insight, Tito Muñoz is internationally recognized as one of today’s most gifted conductors. He recently concluded a decade-long tenure as Music Director of The Phoenix Symphony at the end of the 2023–24 season and now continues with the orchestra as Artistic Partner, following earlier music directorships in France with the Opéra National de Lorraine and the Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy, as well as assistant conducting roles with leading U.S. ensembles. Muñoz has appeared with many of North America’s foremost orchestras and maintains an active international career with major ensembles across Europe, Australia, South America, and New Zealand. Born in Queens, New York, he began his musical training as a violinist in New York City public schools and made his professional conducting debut in 2006 with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, followed that same year by his debut with The Cleveland Orchestra. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we continue the conversation with JoAnn Falletta, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks II: Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Multiple Grammy Award–winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, a dear friend of our late Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann, is celebrated worldwide for her artistry as a conductor, recording artist, audience builder, and champion of American composers. She currently serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and as the Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, and Conductor Laureate of the Hawaii Symphony. Named one of the “Fifty Great Conductors” by Gramophone Magazine, Falletta has also held major leadership roles with the Ulster Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Chamber Orchestra, and The Women’s Philharmonic. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome back JoAnn Falletta, who is serving as our guest conductor for MasterWorks II: Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Multiple Grammy Award–winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, a dear friend of our late Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann, is celebrated worldwide for her artistry as a conductor, recording artist, audience builder, and champion of American composers. She currently serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and as the Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, and Conductor Laureate of the Hawaii Symphony. Named one of the “Fifty Great Conductors” by Gramophone Magazine, Falletta has also held major leadership roles with the Ulster Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Chamber Orchestra, and The Women’s Philharmonic. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On today’s episode of Orchestrating Change, we welcome Wesley Schulz, who helped kick off the 2025–2026 season as our first guest conductor for MasterWorks I: Six Strings & A Symphony. Wesley Schulz is celebrated for his imaginative programming and heartfelt, energetic conducting style. Currently Music Director of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra (WA) and Principal Guest Conductor of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, he has also served as Associate Conductor of the North Carolina Symphony and appeared with numerous orchestras across the country, including Seattle, Utah, Austin, and Canton. A passionate advocate for diversifying classical music and reaching wider audiences, Schulz has collaborated with renowned artists such as Tessa Lark, Leslie Odom Jr., John Williams, and Pink Martini. Outside of music, he enjoys CrossFit, snowboarding, cooking, and playing fetch with his dogs, Chewbacca and Han Solo. Orchestrating Change is available on all podcasts platforms. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com for more episodes, or visit cantonsymphony.org to learn more about the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

On this episode of Orchestrating Change, we are delighted to be joined by Alicia Lieu, who has served as one of our conducting fellows with the Canton Symphony Orchestra throughout the 2024-2025 season. She is a New York City-based conductor and composer known for her innovative programming, including the interactive “Dance-it-Yourself Nutcracker.” She leads the chamber ensemble Musikapiphany and has participated in various festivals. After her private conducting studies, she founded the New York Conducting Institute and Women Conductors Workshops to support fellow conductors. A composer trained under Nadia Boulanger, Alicia has received grants for her work and established the Composers Collective and Pitches Brew non-profit organizations. She created “The 48-Hour Musical” event and has extensive experience in arts education, serving as a teaching artist at several institutions. Alicia holds degrees in music composition and orchestral conducting from various prestigious schools. Orchestrating Change is available wherever you get your podcasts. Visit www.orchestratingchange.com/stay-informed to sign-up for email reminders, view past episodes, and see the various channels where you can view our content. For more information about everything else we are offering at this time, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org.

We are delighted to be joined today by Alison Norris, who has served as one of our conducting fellows with the Canton Symphony Orchestra throughout the 2024-2025 season.

On this episode of Orchestrating Change, we're honored to welcome the legendary Garrick Ohlsson—one of the greatest living concert pianists. With a career spanning over six decades, Ohlsson has performed in the world’s top concert halls and with leading orchestras around the globe. He made history in 1970 as the only American to win the International Chopin Piano Competition and later earned a Grammy Award for his Beethoven recordings. We talk about his recent performance of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto in Canton, his lifelong dedication to the art of piano, and his current role mentoring young artists at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. From his roots in White Plains to his life in San Francisco, this is a deep dive into the extraordinary legacy of a true master.