As a music director and conductor who is committed to diversity, collaboration, innovation and education, Sarah Ioannides invigorates programming and inspires audiences. Praised by the New York Times for her “unquestionable strength and authority”, she is Music Director of Washington State’s Symphony Tacoma. Sarah Ioannides is also the newly appointed Director of Orchestral Activities and Professor of Orchestral Conducting at the School of Fine Arts with Boston University.
Internationally, Sarah Ioannides has conducted on six continents with major orchestras including the Tonkünstler, the Royal Philharmonic, Orchestre Nationale de Lyon, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony, the Flemish Radio Konzerthausorchester, Bilbao Symphony, and some of the world’s greatest National Youth Orchestras, including the South African National Youth Orchestra, Andalusian Youth Orchestra and the Simón Bolívar Orchestra.
Sarah began her career with the Cincinnati Symphony, appointed Ioannides as the first woman appointed to a full-time conducting position and she has since conducted extensively in the United States including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Hawai’i Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Rochester Philharmonic, San Antonio Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony (untitled series) and the Toledo Symphony.
A coach and mentor for many young musicians and conductors, she is Artistic Director of Cascade Conducting and Composing, and coaches for The Curtis Institute of Music’s Mentor Network. Sarah Ioannides is in demand as guest speaker, presenter and conductor for institutions, organizations, conservatories and universities.
“The other big discovery was guest conductor Sarah Ioannides…vigorous, solid, and with an unusually vibrant sonority. Her programming ideas were provocative”
-David Patrick Stearns, Philadelphia Enquirer
What’s New
Boston University Symphony Orchestra
Boston University Symphony Orchestra
Strauss: Die Fledermaus Overture | Bartok: Romanian Dances | Bonis: Trois Legendes Femmes | Debussy: Printemps
Symphony Tacoma
Symphony Tacoma
Symphony Tacoma Voices | Handel: Messiah
Concert Preview: Boston University Symphony Orchestra
Boston University School of Music presents the Boston University Symphony Orchestra. This richly evocative program explores light, landscape, and emotional depth through three distinct musical voices.
Concert Preview: Symphony Tacoma presents “Pops & Rock” feat. Jimmie Herrod
Join us for an unforgettable night of unstoppable energy as Symphony Tacoma and Symphony Tacoma Voices unite with America’s Got Talent finalist Jimmie Herrod!
Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra: Conductor Sarah Ioannides debut with the ensemble Uncommon Gems, Nov.2
Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra presents the debut of Sarah Ioannides with the ensemble Uncommon Gems on Sunday November 2 at 3PM at The Second Church in Newton (60 Highland Street, West Newton).


