Tapestry Opera and Toronto Symphony Orchestra Announce Groundbreaking Masterclass for Emerging Star Conductors at Roy Thomson Hall
TORONTO, ON – Continuing their long-standing relationship, Tapestry Opera and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) join forces for a masterclass on Saturday, May 16, 2026, dedicated to the next generation of women and non-binary conductors and music directors in Canada.
This intensive program, hosted at the iconic Roy Thomson Hall with full orchestral forces, underscores the enduring partnership between these two pillars of the Canadian arts scene. By bringing together the TSO’s orchestral excellence and Tapestry’s innovative programming, the masterclass provides emerging conductors with a rare opportunity to refine their craft under the guidance of top-tier industry mentor Maestro Gustavo Gimeno.
In a short video Q&A, Women in Musical Leadership (WML) alumna Naomi Woo reflects on her experience in the program and the impact it has had on her development as a conductor.
Despite women making up 59% of graduates in visual and performing arts programs, they remain starkly underrepresented in leadership roles. Among Canadian orchestras with budgets over $5 million, only 25% of titled positions are held by women, and a mere 10% serve as Music Directors.* The WML program was specifically designed to support advancement into leadership roles through high-level podium time and rigorous mentorship.
A National Solution to a Global Challenge
Now in its fourth public masterclass collaboration with the TSO, Tapestry Opera’s WML program has supported 11 conductors to date, providing them with the practical experience and visibility required to secure major appointments. The impact reaches organizations across Canada: during the 2025/2026 season alone, WML’s commitment to nationwide exposure will see its conductors travel over 31,000 km to work with partner organizations across Canada.
“This program is about more than just training; it’s about driving real change on the podium,” says Jaime Martino, Executive Director of Tapestry Opera. “WML conductors are actively reshaping the Canadian arts landscape and inspiring audiences from coast to coast.”
“Women in Musical Leadership is opening doors and helping to change the future of our art form,” says Mark Williams, Beck Family CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. “We are proud to partner in a program that gives exceptional conductors meaningful time on the podium and behind-the-scenes with a great orchestra. That investment matters—not only for these artists, but for the future of musical leadership.”
The 2026 Masterclass Conductors:
- Monica Chen (Fellow): A collaborative leader whose insightful approach has garnered acclaim across North America.
- Eve Legault (Fellow): A conductor known for her precision and ability to bridge the gap between contemporary opera and classical symphonic works.
- Serena Reuten (Associate): A dynamic presence on the podium with a reputation for nuanced interpretations of complex scores.
Rigorous Professional Development
The WML fellowship provides valuable hands-on experience. In the 2024/2025 season, full-time conductors received approximately 490 hours of on-the-job training, working alongside expert mentors to master diverse repertoire. This 4th public TSO masterclass serves as a culminating opportunity, allowing fellows to refine their craft under the guidance of conducting advisors such as Gustavo Gimeno and JoAnn Falletta.
About Women in Musical Leadership
Led by Tapestry Opera in partnership with the TSO and over 20 organizations—including Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, and Vancouver Opera—WML is a multi-year program that provides female and non-binary conductors with the mentorship and podium time necessary to advance their careers. For more information, visit tapestryopera.com/wml.
About Tapestry Opera
Founded in 1979, Tapestry Opera is an award-winning Toronto-based company dedicated to creating, developing and performing original, progressive opera. We are passionate about timely, resonant stories told in innovative settings and interpreted by extraordinary artists. We create space to unite diverse art forms, creators, and communities to develop powerful, boundary-breaking opera that reflects and changes the world. We believe in embedding our values in everything we do, on and offstage, and work to create an equitable, adaptable, and accountable culture for our time and communities. Check out What’s On and join us for an upcoming production. Visit tapestryopera.com
About the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. The TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-well-being, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists. Symphony With Us at a concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or Newsroom.TSO.CA.
Media Contact: Clay Jones Marketing and Communications Manager, Tapestry Opera cjones@tapestryopera.com
*independent research by Tapestry Opera
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