The first person to graduate with a degree in conducting from her native Venezuela, Natalia Luis-Bassa knew she wanted to be a conductor when she first pretended to lead a pretend orchestra with a pencil in her dad’s study.

As announced last month, she is now beginning a new role as musical director of the Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and hopes to use her position to forge “new directions” for the group by expanding the reach of the orchestra and educating the island’s budding musicians about the power of orchestral music.

A current professor of conducting at the Royal College of Music and principal guest

conductor of the Oxford University Orchestra, Ms Luis-Bassa is already acquainted with the JSO, having previously conducted its summer concert last year and the Christmas concert in 2022 before that.

Reflecting on why she loves music and how she wants to use the next three years as head of the island’s top orchestra, Natalia spoke to Express about her journey so far…

Have you always wanted to be involved in music?

My parents were music lovers, especially opera. There was always classical music in my house; me and my sisters were surrounded by music since a very early age.

When I went to concerts I was fascinated by the person in front waving their arms around. I used to go to my father’s study to put on music and pretend to be the conductor, waving my arms with a pencil. I studied oboe but always wanted to be a conductor.

Eventually I went to study conducting full time and I was the first person to graduate with a degree in conducting from my country, Venezuela.

What is it you love about music and conducting specifically?

Music is like the microcosmos of a country, everyone plays an important part in the overall result and we are all part of the greater good.

It is a perfect tool for social transformation and to make a positive impact in the lives of young musicians.

Solitary practice is boring, therefore being in an orchestra makes you being part of something bigger and definitely more fun. 

Music is everything, music is everywhere! 

What are your career highlights so far?

Working with youth musicians around the world is always a highlight.

Their fearless approach to music is just amazing to witness. 

In December 2022, I made the Jersey Symphony Orchestra dance Latin American music and that was fun to watch and dance with them.

Why is musical education so important to you?

The discipline to learn an instrument can be transferable to anything that you do later in life. It equips the young with social skills, collaboration, team work, and also a love for music. Everyone should experience what it’s like to learn an instrument.

What attracted you to the role of musical director at JSO?

The love of the people for their orchestra and the musical community’s sentiment towards their group.

Everyone is so passionate about the wellbeing of the orchestra, that it inspired me to come and work with them. They welcomed me with open arms and I felt at ease.

Although also the beach in the summer, I am from the Caribbean and I miss the sea!

What are your plans for the three-year role?

I want to work with the orchestra, all together as a musical community. I am not higher or above because I am the conductor, I want to create a culture where we are altogether making music which we all feel we can gain something from. 

It is said that the conductor is the bridge between the composer and the orchestra, I want also be the bridge between the orchestra and the audience.

Describe the “new directions” you hope to open with young Jersey players

I want to bring the fearlessness of Jersey’s youth to our orchestra.

I want to expand beyond the classical repertoire and get to know the music they want to play. Beethoven and Prokofiev can go well with the music of Zelda. 

I just want to enjoy and have fun with the music we play. We want the orchestra to have as much fun as the audience when they come to our concerts!