Philadelphia Ballet Hired Seven Guest Conductors
The company has tapped a diverse roster of musical talent for the 2026/27 performance season at the Academy of Music.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Dance
The Philadelphia Ballet has officially announced a lineup of seven guest conductors to lead the orchestra for its upcoming 2026/27 season. These musicians will take the podium at the Academy of Music to helm a variety of classic and contemporary dance productions.
Why it matters
Bringing in varied guest talent provides the company with a range of interpretive styles for its diverse repertoire. This strategy ensures each ballet is paired with a conductor experienced in the specific musical demands of its choreography.
Selected conductors bring extensive resumes, including Gavriel Heine, who led 1,000 performances at the Mariinsky Theatre, and Ming Luke, who previously conducted 250 performances with the San Francisco Ballet.
The players
Philadelphia Ballet
This is a professional ballet company based in Philadelphia that regularly performs at the Academy of Music.
Ming Luke
He is a conductor who previously led 250 performances with the San Francisco Ballet.
Harrison Hollingsworth
He is a conductor who previously led 70 performances with the New York City Ballet.
Gavriel Heine
He served as a resident conductor for 15 years and led 1,000 performances at the Mariinsky Theatre.
The details
The conductors are assigned to specific productions throughout the season, including Dance at Great Velocity, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Don Quixote. Guest musicians including Kenneth Hsieh and Harrison Hollingsworth will oversee George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, while Joel Bass and Felipe Tristán are tasked with Cinderella.
Timeline
Ming Luke conducts Dance at Great Velocity from October 15-18, 2026.
Kenneth Hsieh conducts The Nutcracker from December 4-6, 2026.
Harrison Hollingsworth conducts The Nutcracker on December 22, 2026.
Joel Bass conducts Cinderella from March 4-7, 2027.
Gavriel Heine conducts Don Quixote from May 7-9, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The use of multiple guest conductors reflects a growing trend among major ballet companies to prioritize diverse artistic perspectives for specific repertoire. This approach positions the Philadelphia Ballet to attract high-caliber musical talent while refreshing the audience experience for established classics.
Patrons can now plan their attendance based on the specific performance dates and conductors scheduled at the Academy of Music. Tickets for these productions are expected to reflect the season schedule, so early planning is recommended for popular shows like The Nutcracker.
The takeaway
Season ticket holders and frequent attendees should review the specific conductor assignments to choose the dates that best align with their musical preferences. This season highlights how even long-standing ballets can offer new experiences through varied musical leadership.
Further reading
For more information on the local performance arts scene, visit the Philadelphia Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
