The Philadelphia Orchestra has appointed Colombian conductor Sara Aldana as its new assistant conductor for the 2026–27 season, giving the Bogotá-born musician one of the most prestigious early-career conducting posts in the United States. She will take up the position on 1 September, working alongside music and artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the orchestra’s guest conductors before making her subscription debut in January 2027.
While assistant conductor appointments often receive little public attention, the role has long been regarded as an important stepping stone for emerging conductors. At Philadelphia, it provides hands-on experience with one of America’s leading orchestras, offering opportunities to assist internationally renowned conductors, lead education and family concerts, and participate in tours and community programmes.
For Aldana, the appointment marks another milestone in a career that has gathered momentum in recent years. The Colombian conductor previously served as cover conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra between 2023 and 2025, collaborating with conductors including Jader Bignamini, Marie Jacquot and Tabita Berglund. She has also held conducting positions with the Reno Chamber Orchestra, the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra and Mexico’s Festival Paax GNP, while guest appearances have included the Bogotá Symphony Orchestra and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.
Aldana is also closely associated with Marin Alsop, under whom she studied at the Peabody Institute. She is currently a member of the 2026 class of the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, the international mentoring programme founded by Alsop to support women conductors. Her appointment will reunite the two musicians in Philadelphia, where Alsop serves as the orchestra’s principal guest conductor.
Aldana succeeds Naomi Woo, who has served as assistant conductor since 2024. The orchestra said Woo will return during the 2026–27 season as a guest conductor after completing her two-year tenure.
As assistant conductor, Aldana will support Nézet-Séguin and visiting conductors throughout the season, lead selected family concerts and take part in educational initiatives, residencies and tours. Her first appearance leading the Philadelphia Orchestra is scheduled for January 2027 in a programme of waltzes by the Strauss family.
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