A 27 year old from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia is the new resident conductor with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Henry Kennedy has spent most of his career in the United Kingdom, but he’s happy to be returning to Canada to take up this new position.

“I will never forget the lightning bolt response I received from the orchestra in the audition when I gave the downbeat for the first movement of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. From the beginning to the end of the audition, I felt a musical electricity that I have never experienced before,” said Kennedy in media release. 

Kennedy is the first to fill this new position with NACO. The NAC has created the place for Canadian conductors to help develop conducting and leadership skills crucial for young conductors. The position was announced this past February.

The resident conductor position lasts two years and is under the guidance of NACO music director Alexander Shelley. Kennedy will also be working with NACO principal guest conductor John Storgårds and Principal Youth Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. 

Kennedy recently completed his tenure at the Wroclaw Opera in Poland. In summer 2023, Kennedy was the assistant conductor to Sir John Eliot Gardiner for Berlioz’s monumental opera Les Troyens. This position took him to podiums around Europe such as the Salzburg Festival, the Royal Opera of Versailles, Berliner Philharmonie and the BBC Proms. 

Kennedy is also the founder of the Resonate Symphony Orchestra, based in the United Kingdom, where he has been music director since 2017.

Kennedy has extensive experience in conducting opera and orchestras and has curated several music programs in London. He’s also studied under Italian conductor Riccardo Muti and other leaders in the classical music world. 

Although Kennedy’s tenure begins in September, he will attend NACO’s summer concerts.

The selection process was competitive. Kennedy was chosen from more than 50 applications and five finalist auditions. 

Shelley said in the NAC press release that he is looking forward to working with Kennedy.

“During his audition he demonstrated wonderful technique and poise in front of the orchestra and spoke eloquently about the role of the conductor in the community and about the importance of music to us all.”

More Stories