Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Binneweg.
Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Early in my studies, I had the privilege of studying privately with a conductor who was a terrific mentor and pedagogue – he had a tremendous influence over my future as a professional musician. During the same time, I also had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in London – a city full of life, arts and multi-cultural avenues. That’s where the pursuit of my career really began.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was fortunate enough to know that I wanted to pursue a career in conducting at a young age, so the vision was easy to sustain – I also knew that I needed to stay the course, whatever it entailed along the way. I followed a traditional academic path in music, ultimately receiving my doctorate degree in orchestral conducting from Northwestern University and was able to start working in the field immediately following. Of course, there were challenges along the way – from financing my education (with whatever scholarships didn’t include), working with naysayers or difficult people at times, developing my craft in a time when bias and sexism was more prevalent in the world of classical music etc. But, I had extraordinary teachers and mentors along the way, and a supportive team of friends and family throughout the journey, so achieving degrees and positions in conducting was just a matter of perseverance and time – a lot of time to learn and gain the skills required to be a successful conductor.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I love most about my work and profession is that I have the incredible opportunity to bring people together through live performance. I am the Music Director/Conductor of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic (Alexandria/VA), the Naptown Philharmonic (Annapolis, MD) and the AACC Symphony Orchestra (Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD). I specialize in creating concerts that are engaging and collaborative within the community (i.e. working with local businesses, theater and dance companies, choruses, high school programs, etc.) that are geared towards multi-generational audiences (such as family-friendly productions) that range from the popular and familiar, to the modern and classical. It’s a joy to connect with a wide variety of skilled musicians ranging from students to amateurs to fully professional musicians. As a unit, we bring breath, life and excitement to the concert hall that the composers of the past and present have created for us to experience together.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Victor Yampolsky, Director of Orchestras (retired), Northwestern University
Paul Philips, Director of Orchestras (retired), Southern Methodist University
William Johnson, Director of Bands (retired), California Polytechnic State University
Pricing:
- https://www.wmpamusic.org/
- https://www.annabinneweg.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wmpamusic.org/
