WSO's Associate Conductor Julian Pellicano Joins National Ballet of Canada

February 23, 2024, Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra announced today that Julian Pellicano is stepping down as Associate Conductor at the end of the 2023-24 season. The beloved conductor has been appointed Staff Conductor of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra starting with the 2024-25 season.

Originally from New York, Pellicano came to Winnipeg with his family in 2013 as the new resident conductor. The role evolved during his time with the WSO, creating an opportunity for him to expand his repertoire, master new genres of music, and grow as a conductor.

“After 11 seasons and hundreds of concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and our wonderful audience, I can truly say that my experience with the WSO has shaped my musicianship, honed my craft as a conductor, and developed within me a deep love for the city of Winnipeg and Manitoba since making my home here, says Pellicano.

“When I met Julian on my very first visit to Winnipeg in 2015, I immediately found a wonderfully supportive, competent and generous young colleague in him! His extraordinary professional and human qualities will be greatly missed by many musicians and guest artists. Julian both led and assisted throughout his tenure, first as Assistant and then as Associate Conductor of the WSO! I wish him all the very best in his new role and would cordially welcome him back to work with the WSO as guest conductor in the future!” says WSO Music Director Daniel Raiskin.

“I’d like to thank our staff past and present, my colleague Daniel Raiskin for his support, Winnipeg’s wonderful audiences who give us so much energy and insight during performances, and most of all my fellow musicians who, with warm open hearts, revealed their unique talents on stage consistently throughout the great variety of musical adventures we had together!” adds Pellicano.

Known for his versatility across a broad spectrum of genres, dynamic interpretations and meticulous technique, Pellicano always brought an incisive musicality and collaborative spirit to every performance.

Pellicano led many Live at the WSO concerts featuring such artists as Jann Arden, Cirque de la Symphonie, and tributes to The Beatles, ABBA and many more.

A specialist in performing films live with orchestra, Pellicano’s catalogue of film performances with the WSO has encompassed over 20 titles, including the Star Wars and Harry Potter series and several of Charlie Chaplin’s silent classics.

Plans are already being made to have Pellicano conduct several concerts for the WSO next season, primarily in the BMO Night at the Movies series.

“Julian has earned the respect and affection of the musicians and dancers of The National Ballet of Canada. It is rare to find a conductor for dance with not only the level of talent and experience that Julian brings but also the generosity and collaborative spirit that he shares,” said David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor of The National Ballet of Canada.

Pellicano has collaborated with internationally renowned dancers and choreographers and will continue his artistic collaboration as Music Director for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Pellicano has guest conducted orchestras in North America and abroad, including the Seattle Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Orquestra de Valencia, Edmonton Symphony, the Louisiana Philharmonic, The Florida Orchestra, the Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre, the Hartford Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Vermont Symphony, among others.

https://www.julianpellicano.com/