Marin Alsop

Who? Conductor, violinist and Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and São Paulo Symphony Orchestra.

Music is a way to connect, communicate and transcend barriers and differences.

Instrument? Conducting baton / Violin

Why Get Playing? "For me it’s incredibly important to support amateur musicians because music is a way to connect, communicate, transcend barriers, transcend differences and perhaps it’s a way to promote tolerance and peace in a world that desperately needs it."

About Marin

Marin Alsop is a multi-award winning conductor and musician with a gift for building and developing orchestras.

Born in New York City, she has built a reputation as an inspiring and powerful voice in the international music scene. Passionately believing that "music has the power to change lives", Marin is recognised the world over for her innovative approach to programming and her commitment to educating and developing audiences of all ages.

She is currently Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. She not only steers the artistic and creative direction of these orchestras, but also plays a crucial role in contributing to the wider community and reaching new audiences.

The deep relationships Marin forges as a conductor mean she retains strong links with every orchestra she has worked with throughout her long career. These include the Los Angeles Philharmonic, La Scala Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. Marin also founded “OrchKids” in 2008, which provides music education, instruments, meals and mentoring to young people in need.

Marin’s BSO academy and ‘Rusty Musicians’ programme both run at the Baltimore SO. These programmes encourage and give opportunities for amateur adult musicians to take up their instruments and play alongside the orchestra.

In 2013 Marin made history as the first female conductor of the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms in London. Now she’s back to conduct our first ever Virtual Orchestra, which will bring together UK amateur musicians of all abilities in celebration of music making.

(Photo: Grant Leighton)