Strong ideas, lucid communication and intensely focused energy are among the qualities that define Stephanie Childress.
In 2024/25, Childress begins her tenure as Principal Guest Conductor of Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya with an opening concert in November conducting Strauss’ Metamorphosen and Stravinsky’s Petrushka. Future concerts with the orchestra include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.1 and Poulenc’s Stabat Mater with soprano Alexandra Lowe.
This season also marks a series of international returns to the Cleveland, New World, Utah and North Carolina Symphony Orchestras, as well as Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Orchestre National d’Île-de-France and Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier. Alongside these she will debut with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé, Royal Northern Sinfonia and MDR Sinfonieorchester Leipzig. From 2021 to 2023 she was the Assistant Conductor of the St Louis Symphony under Stéphane Denève, during which she enjoyed multiple subscription concerts with the orchestra and developed strong musical ties in North America. She is currently the Associate Conductor of the Sun Valley Music Festival.
Childress enjoys a close relationship with the French cultural scene following her second-prize win at the 2020 inaugural conducting competition, La Maestra. Since then, she has conducted Orchestre de Paris, Paris Mozart Orchestra and Orchestre de Chambre de Paris. In September 2023, following her involvement as one of the first conducting fellows of l’Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris, she made her debut at the Palais Garnier with l’Orchestre Pasdeloup for the ballet company’s opening gala.
Stephanie is a relentless supporter of youth music programs and is passionate about conducting, coaching, and mentoring young musicians. She is currently the artistic director of the Sun Valley Music Festival Institute and returns to the Sarasota Music Festival in June 2025.
