Earlier this month it was announced that Karina Canellakis would step down as assistant conductor to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Now, Ms. Canellakis is the recipient of the coveted Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.
The award is a $25,000 grant and won't just be applied to Ms. Canellakis' expenditures but will also aid in furthering her career and help open doors within the industry, providing easy access to renowned mentors. This award will mark the Foundation's seventh grant to date.
Penny Van Horn, Board Chair of the Solti Foundation U.S. said in a press release:
"It gives us great pleasure to bestow Karina Canellakis, who we recognized just last season with a Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, with this year's Solti Conducting Award. It is especially exciting to witness her continuing development in both orchestral and operatic fields. The Foundation extends the legacy of Sir Georg by ensuring that talented young American conductors get the opportunity to demonstrate their musicianship, leadership and full potential to the broadest possible audience."
Hailed by critics abound, Canellakis has been on the rise snice her appointment with the DSO. One of her notable performances at the company happened when she filled in for the also supremely talented Jaap van Zweden, who phoned in last minute.
She's also been heralded for her performances with orchestras across the globe. She made her European debut last June with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe at the Styriarte Festival in Austria, replacing Niklaus Harnoncourt.
This summer, too, Ms. Canellakis will debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, Mostly Mozart Festival here in New York leading the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Festival della Valle d'Itria in Martina Franca, Italy, and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
A most resounding award, we applaud and acknowledge the talents of Ms. Karina Canellakis, who will only be on the rise from here on out. While it's unfortunate she will be leaving the DSO, her future endeavors should prove to be immensely fruitful.
For now, though, preview the talented conductor below while she continues a career of greatness.
