MISSOULA — The Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale has picked Julia Tai as the organization's new Music Director.
“As many in our community know, Tai’s hiring is the culmination of a search process begun over 2½ years ago which was lengthened by the Coronavirus pandemic,” stated Missoula Symphony Association Board President Jim Valeo.
“In fact, Ms. Tai was on stage at the Dennison Theatre a little over a year ago when she auditioned in front of our musicians and patrons," he added.
Born in Taiwan, Tai came to the US as a young woman and has training and performance experience in conducting, vocal, choral, and violin performance.
Tai has been active as the Music Director of two ensembles in the Seattle area for the past several years while also serving as a guest conductor nationally and internationally.
Valeo said Tai is the ideal candidate for the Missoula Symphony Association’s Music Director position due to her broad experience in all aspects of the job beyond conducting an orchestra.
“She was very well received by the Missoula community during her two-week audition residency last fall and we are pleased to have her with us in the important role. We are truly excited to welcome her to our organization and to Missoula,” said Valeo.
Tai’s start date with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale is Nov. 1, 2020. Her first concert with the orchestra is currently scheduled to be performed in early 2021.
