Gemma New is artistic advisor and principal conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a position she has held since 2022. Born in New Zealand, New studied violin at the University of Canterbury before obtaining her master's degree in orchestral conducting at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore.

Early in her career, New was Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2014-15) and associate conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (2011-2017). She served as resident conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. New regularly conducts major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the BBC Philharmonic. In 2025, she made her debut at Santa Fe Opera conducting Britten's The Turn of the Screw.

Committed to new music, in 2010, she founded the Lunar Ensemble, which premiered 30 works over six seasons. New has conducted works by composers such as John Adams, Thomas Adès, Lera Auerbach, Anna Clyne, Vivian Fung and Andrew Norman.

New received the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award in 2021 and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024.

Gemma New makes her debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in the 2026/27 season.

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April 2027

16 Fri20:30

Stravinsky's Rite of Spring