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Described by the New York Times as a conductor with “unquestionable strength and authority,” Sarah Ioannides became the sixth Music Director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra in 2005. Now in her fifth season, Maestra Ioannides’ leadership on the El Paso podium has attracted new international artists to El Paso’s historic Plaza Theatre. Through her innovative programming, the orchestra has expanded its repertoire with world and American premieres, vibrant multimedia productions and numerous works never before performed by the EPSO. Ioannides’ dedication to develop and sustain an enthusiastic audience for classical music has attracted new generations of music lovers bearing a positive impact on the city’s cultural life.
Ioannides’ guest conducting engagements span five continents and include orchestras such as the Orchestre National de Lyon, Flemish Radio Orchestra at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart, Nordic Chamber Orchestra, Swedish Wind Ensemble, Orquesta Sinfónica Municipal de Caracas, Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra in South Korea, Cyprus State Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony and the Naumburg concert series in New York City. She has also appeared in special engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New World Symphony and the London Symphony Orchestra.
In 2008, Ioannides’ debut CD was released with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and violinist Lara St. John. It was reviewed by Gramophone music magazine as “directed with panache”, and features the Academy Award-winning Suite from the Red Violin by John Corigliano and two world premieres.
Prior to her current appointments, Ioannides was the Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, and was awarded the Bruno Walter Assistant Conductor Chair; one of two awards presented by the Bruno Walter Foundation in the United States during the 2003-2004 season.
From 1999 to 2003, Ioannides served as Assistant Conductor to composer Tan Dun, touring Japan, China, Hong Kong, Russia, France, Germany, Sweden, the USA and the UK. As such, she conducted the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Flemish Radio Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and the Oregon Bach Festival. In February 2005, at the request of Tan Dun, Ioannides conducted Dun’s Water Passion in Perth, Australia; the first conductor to perform this work other than the composer.
Among several opera productions, Ioannides led the European premiere of Stephen Paulus’ The Woodlanders. Additional production highlights include the works of Mozart, Britten and Offenbach, as well as numerous collaborations with opera companies and festivals worldwide. Opera-Opera depicted Ioannides lyrical conducting technique as one "with the most persuasive of gentle textures, she coaxed from the performers an extraordinary array of sounds. She was grace personified.”
Born in Canberra, Australia, Ioannides was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in America at the Curtis Institute of Music as a conductor. She subsequently earned a Masters of Music in Conducting at the Juilliard School. In 2001, she received the JoAnne Falletta Award for the most promising female conductor.
More information can be seen on her website: www.sarahioannides.net
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