The New York Times has commended Mischa Santora, the 13th musical director in a distinguished line of remarkable talents who have conducted the New York Youth Symphony, “spacious, resonant, and accomplished” performances, calling him “a solid technician and a sensitive musician.” Mr. Santora was also the artistic director of the acclaimed Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. A frequent guest conductor, Mr. Santora has led performances in the United States, Europe, and South America, including the Eugene (Oregon) and Lucerne (Switzerland) symphonies, and the Lima Philharmonic. He is the recipient of three consecutive Aspen Conducting Prizes, serving as assistant conductor of the Aspen Music Festival. Additionally, Mr. Santora has served as conductor of The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Orchestra.

Mr. Santora was a violinist in his earliest training, studying initially with his father, a member of the Lucerne Symphony. That was followed by three years of study under Thomas Brandis, former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic. He subsequently undertook conducting studies with Otto Werner Mueller of the Curtis Institute of Music, from which he graduated in 1997.