About the Orchestral Masterclass

Cascade Conducting Masterclass offers orchestral conductors a unique & highly diverse array of opportunities and by popular request will extend the course yet again from June 13th to June 21st, 2025. 

Led by Artistic Director of Cascade Conducting, Sarah Ioannides, Music Director of Symphony Tacoma as well as the newly appointed Director of Orchestral Activities & Professor of Orchestral Conducting at the College of Fine Arts, Boston University. Additional faculty include her father, Ayis Ioannides, an internationally recognized conductor and composer, previously on the conducting staff of German opera houses for over ten years prior to taking up appointments as Chief Conductor in Finland and Cyprus, and Dr. Zeke Fetrow, Music Director of the Concord Orchestra in addition to guest speakers.  Each full participant will receive 100+ minutes of instructional podium time rehearsing the Cascade Conducting Orchestra, led by Symphony Tacoma principal musicians, work with the Cascade Composers culminating in readings and performances which will be professionally recorded.  

Other opportunities include:

• Auditing & Partial Participant Enrollment Available at reduced prices

• One-on-one mentorship sessions with Maestra Ioannides.

• Group sessions on baton technique and score study.

• Preliminary conducting lessons with piano prior to podium time with the Cascade Orchestra.

• Q & A’s with guest speakers covering topics related to the art, business and profession of conducting.

• Opportunity to conduct premieres in both rehearsal / performance, written for the Cascade Composers Workshop working alongside directed by internationally acclaimed composer, and Dean of the Music School at Julliard, David Serkin Ludwig.

• Opportunity to sing alongside Symphony Tacoma Voices and observe choral conductors masterclasses Dr.  Geoffrey Boers 

All podium sessions will be video recorded.