Tapestry Opera And Toronto Symphony Orchestra To Host Women In Musical Leadership Masterclass

Tapestry Opera and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will present a masterclass on May 16, 2026, focused on supporting women and non-binary conductors and music directors in Canada.

The program will take place at Roy Thomson Hall and will provide participants with the opportunity to work with full orchestral forces under the guidance of conductor Gustavo Gimeno.

Participants

The 2026 masterclass will feature Monica Chen, Eve Legault, and Serena Reuten. Chen and Legault will participate as fellows, while Reuten will take part as an associate.

Program Overview

The masterclass is part of the Women in Musical Leadership (WML) program, an initiative led by Tapestry Opera in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and other arts organizations across Canada. The program is designed to provide mentorship, podium time, and professional development opportunities to support career advancement in orchestral leadership roles.

According to organizers, the initiative responds to ongoing disparities in representation within the field, where women remain underrepresented in conducting and music director positions.

About the Program

The WML program has supported 11 conductors to date and includes collaborations with organizations across Canada. Participants engage in extensive training, including hundreds of hours of on-the-job experience working with professional orchestras and mentors.