Biography
Argentinian conductor Michelle Di Russo is celebrated for her passionate musicality and commitment to contemporary music. Currently, she serves as Associate Conductor with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (Texas) and is a 2023 Dudamel Fellow with the LA Philharmonic. She has also been a fellow with prestigious programs such as the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion and The Dallas Opera Hart Institute.
In the 2023-2024 season, Di Russo has had guest conducting debuts with orchestras including the LA Philharmonic and Knoxville Symphony (Tennessee). She will also act as cover conductor for the St. Louis Symphony. During the summer, she was a conducting Fellow at the Lucerne Festival Academy, collaborating with Baldur Brönnimann and premiering works with the International Ensemble Modern Academy.
Di Russo’s career highlights include guest conducting debuts with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Symphony, and Portland Symphony, as well as serving as Interim Director of Orchestras at Cornell University. She is also the co-founder of Girls Who Conduct, an organization promoting gender equality in conducting.
Trained as a dancer and with a background in musical theatre, Di Russo holds advanced degrees in orchestral conducting from institutions in the United States and Argentina. She has studied under renowned conductors and mentors, further enriching her musical journey.