SEASON SPONSORED BY
2025 - 2026
Our 67th Season
The Search
Candidate Biographies
RYAN TANI
Ryan Tani is currently the assistant conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, he completed his two-year tenure as the Orchestral Conducting Fellow for the Yale Philharmonia, where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Prize for artistic excellence in his graduating class. Committed to meaningful community music-making in the state of Montana, Ryan has directed the Bozeman Chamber Orchestra, Bozeman Symphonic Choir, Second String Orchestra, and MSU Symphony Orchestras, and recently served on the faculty at the Montana State University School of Music.
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Ryan is also a graduate of the Peabody Institute and the University of Southern California, where he studied voice. Ryan currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he can be found in the park with his dog, playing board games with friends and family, in the library with a good book, or in the practice room with his violin.
FERNANDA LASTRA
Fernanda Lastra serves as assistant and cover conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and primary conductor for the Family Kids concerts, Music for Youth series, and summer performances. She has also led Classics, Pops, and Special concerts. Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Fernanda is a passionate and creative conductor recognized for her artistic leadership and engaging performances. Committed to featuring diverse voices in concert halls, Fernanda is an advocate for Latin American composers. She is equally dedicated to creating well-balanced programs to enhance the concert experience and is passionate about community engagement and music education.
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In addition, Fernanda actively contributes to the artistic team and music education committee. Besides her role with the BPO, she regularly performs as a guest conductor.
BRANDON HORROCKS
Known for thoughtfully challenging, creative, and expressive programming, Brandon Horrocks is actively engaged in the orchestral music scene in the Salt Lake community. Brandon has served as the Music Director of the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wasatch Symphony Orchestra. Brandon was also the Assistant Conductor for the Salt Lake Symphony. He has also guest conducted with several notable orchestras nationwide.
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In addition to his orchestral work, Brandon maintains a busy schedule as a vocalist and teacher in the Salt Lake choral community. Brandon holds Doctorate and Masters degrees in Orchestral Conducting and Bachelors of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. He has performed with the Grand Teton Festival Chorus, Utah Chamber Artists, Salt Lake Choral Artists, La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, and San Diego Master Chorale.
ROBERT KAHN
Dutch conductor and recipient of the Solti Career Assistance Award, Robert Kahn is currently serving as the Assistant Conductor at the Academy of Vocal Arts. Conversant with both symphonic and operatic repertoire, Robert has served as cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Philadelphia. As a guest conductor, Robert led the Mannes School of Music’s (Un)Silent Film production, as well as Music On Site’s production of Don Giovanni.
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Robert recently conducted Così fan Tutte with the Academy of Vocal Arts and returned to The Mannes School of Music to conduct a contemporary opera. Robert holds a Professional Studies Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Mannes School of Music and a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Clarinet from The Johns Hopkins University and Peabody Conservatory.
IAN PASSMORE
If you think conductors are stuffy and unapproachable, think again. Ian Passmore is the kind of maestro you could grab a beer with—warm, down-to-earth, and passionate about making classical music feel alive. He brings energy, authenticity, and a refreshing informality to the podium.
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​Ian has conducted major orchestras across the U.S. and made his international debut with the Hanoi Philharmonic. He currently serves on the conducting staff of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, leading their Youth Orchestra program and holiday ballet performances.​ Beyond performing, Ian is an educator and mentor, with university teaching experience and nationwide guest engagements. Off the podium, he’s a tech nerd, true crime podcast addict, and dog dad to four lively pups. He believes classical music should be for everyone, breaking barriers through performance, education, and digital outreach.
DANIEL BLACK
Daniel Black is a Montreal-based American conductor and composer. He concluded a highly successful four-year tenure as the Resident Conductor of the Florida Orchestra In 2022. Besides over 150 performances with The Florida Orchestra, Daniel’s guest-conducting engagements have taken him across the United States, Canada, the Ukraine, and Russia. He has conducted world and U.S. premieres, and has also conducted a number of film concerts. For two years, Daniel studied conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, and speaks Russian and French fluently.
He was the Associate Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for three years, and has received three Career Assistance Awards from the Solti Foundation, U.S. Daniel was also Composer-in-Residence of the 2014 Southeast Horn Workshop, and a finalist of the 2008 International Prokofiev Composition Competition.
