The Symphony of the Southwest in Mesa, Arizona, has named Julie Desbordes as music director and conductor. She succeeds Cal Stewart Kellogg, who led the orchestra from 2006 to 2024. Born in Limoges, France, Desbordes made her conducting debut at the age of 17. Her career includes guest-conducting appearances across Asia, Latin America, and North America. In addition to international engagements, she is currently music director of the Philharmonia Orchestra at Arizona State University, where she also teaches conducting. An educator and advocate for accessibility in the arts, Desbordes has been involved in El Sistema programs, Carnegie Hall’s Music Educators Workshop, and youth initiatives around the globe. She was featured in the Jamie Bernstein documentary ‘Crescendo! The Power of Music.’ Desbordes first appeared with the Symphony of the Southwest in October 2024.
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