Valery Saul Named Nashville Symphony's New Associate Conductor

The Nashville Symphony has announced the recent appointment of Valery Saul as the orchestra's Associate Conductor. The Associate Conductor position is a three-season appointment beginning in the 2026/2027 season, continuing until the conclusion of the 2028/2029 season.

The Associate Conductor is an integral member of the artistic leadership team and conducting staff of the Nashville Symphony. In collaboration with key staff, they are responsible for creatively planning and executing the Nashville Symphony's Education and Community Concerts. These highly visible programs are essential to the Nashville Symphony's mission and serve 70,000 people annually. The Associate Conductor also provides vital support for the Nashville Symphony's Music Director, guest conductors, and musicians as cover conductor for all the orchestra's activities, as well as leading a wide range of additional performances, such as pops, film, and the occasional subscription concert or special event.

“We are honored to welcome Valery Saul to the Nashville Symphony team,” said Nashville Symphony President & CEO Alan D. Valentine. “Valery brings a wealth of experience, artistic versatility, and technical command that we are excited for Nashville to experience.”

Described by Marin Alsop as a “powerful presence on the podium,” Saul is recognized for her ability to forge immediate connections with orchestras, leading to engagements across the United States. In 2025, Saul was selected for the Dallas Opera Hart Institute for Women Conductors. Most recently, she served as the Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra from 2023–2026, culminating in her acclaimed Masterworks debut with the orchestra.

“I am deeply honored to join the Nashville Symphony and become part of such a vibrant artistic community. From my very first interactions with the organization, I was struck by the orchestra's commitment to artistic excellence and meaningful community engagement,” said Saul. “There is no city quite like Nashville, and I look forward to creating musical experiences that celebrate the city's rich and eclectic musical culture.” 

Saul holds dual master's degrees in Conducting (Peabody Conservatory) and Opera Performance (University of British Columbia). She has been mentored by Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Nicole Paiement, Marcelo Lehninger, and George Manahan. She has participated in numerous distinguished masterclasses, working with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Romanian Chamber Orchestra. A prizewinner of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra's Conducting Competition, she has also been a conducting fellow at the Bellingham Festival of Music. Saul is a frequent cover conductor for the Oregon Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Charlotte Symphony. In addition to her conducting career, she is also an accomplished professional opera singer.