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The Utah Symphony will have a new associate conductor next fall — the first woman to ever hold a permanent conducting post with the symphony.
Rei Hotoda, formerly the associate conductor at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2012, will join the Utah Symphony in September 2015. She succeeds Vladimir Kulenovic, who recently was named music director of the Lake Forest Symphony.
Music director Thierry Fischer said in a statement: "Rei will bring extensive education and community engagement experience to share with audiences in this great state. With her charismatic personality and musical talent, I am thrilled to welcome Rei as our next associate conductor."
Hotoda said in a statement: "Working with Music Director Thierry Fischer and the extraordinary musicians of the orchestra is a partnership I know will be deeply meaningful and very exciting. I am really looking forward to getting to know the audiences of the Utah Symphony and look forward to collaborating with such a vibrant community."
In the last two years, Hotoda has performed as a guest conductor with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Colorado Symphony (Denver), Fort Worth Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Hotoda is also an acclaimed pianist, has worked with artists ranging from the Canadian Brass to the Indigo Girls, and performed as pianist and conductor of Canadian surrealist filmmaker Guy Maddin's "Brand Upon the Brain."
As associate conductor, Hodota will work closely with Fischer. She will lead the orchestra in various programs — including community and chamber concerts, regional tours and the Deer Valley Music Festival concerts in Park City — and be actively involved in the Symphony's educational department. She will be a spokeswoman for the Symphony in pre-concert lectures and community events, and mentor youth orchestras in a variety of regional guest clinics and performances.