Musical Short Stories

David Robertson – conductor, artist, thinker, American musical visionary – occupies the most prominent podiums in opera, orchestral, and new music.  He is a champion of contemporary composers, and an ingenious and adventurous programmer.  Robertson has served in numerous artistic leadership positions, such as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a transformative 13-year tenure as Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, with the Orchestre National de Lyon, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and as protégé of Pierre Boulez, the Ensemble InterContemporain.  He appears with the world’s great orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and many major European, Asian, North and South American ensembles and festivals.  Since his 1996 Metropolitan Opera debut, Robertson has conducted a breathtaking range of Met projects, including the 2019-20 season opening premiere production of Porgy and Bess, for which he shared a Grammy Award, Best Opera Recording, in March 2021.  Robertson serves as Director of Conducting Studies, Distinguished Visiting Faculty, of The Juilliard School.

Juan Sebastian Cruz graduated from Rice University with a B.A. in Visual and Dramatic Arts. Since then he has enjoyed a varied career in the arts all across Houston. Notable theater credits include performances with the Alley Theatre, Stages Repertory Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera. As a musician, dancer, and circus artist he has performed at venues such as Miller Outdoor Theater, Jones Hall, Discovery Green, and the Texas Renaissance Festival. He works as a Teaching Artist with students across the city and is always excited about the opportunity to engage with eager young audiences.