(Credit: Todd Rosenberg)

Karen Kamensek has joined the Calgary Philharmonic as the newly-created role of Principal Guest Conductor.

In addition to leading the Orchestra for a few concerts each season, Kamensek will work behind the scenes with the Calgary Phil in an artistic advisory capacity. This season, she will conduct the Classics series opener, Gil Shaham plays Beethoven, and the Verdi  Requiem.

In a statement she said, “I am so excited to be appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Calgary Philharmonic, and to continue nurturing the positive and inspiring musical connection the Orchestra and I have felt since we first met a few years ago. It will be lovely to explore some more repertoire together, to be a part of the whole forward-looking Calgary Phil artistic team, and also to be in Calgary a bit more to get to know the public/audiences and this beautiful city and region better.”

Marc Stevens, Calgary Philharmonic President + CEO added, “We’re delighted that Karen Kamensek is joining us this season in a newly created artistic leadership role. You may have experienced her fantastic performances here in previous seasons, and we were driven to build on this powerful bond with her. This is an ideal time to have someone with Karen’s experience join us in this role as the organization works through a transitional period while we search for a new Music Director.”