Age: 29.
Hometown: Macon, Ga.
Undergrad: Columbus State University in Columbus, Ga.
Graduate: Northwestern University, master's degree in conducting, 2011.
Previous job: Alabama Symphony, assistant conductor.
Activities: "You all love lake culture and the outdoors. In Georgia, you are outside 12 months of the year, so it's not as special. Next summer I'm thinking I might give paddleboarding a try. Maybe."
On European hegemony in classical music: "I would like to change that. As one of the very few African-American conductors in the world, unlike some of my colleagues, I have to think about how to inspire young African-American musicians."
On the work of Michigan-based Sphinx, which coaches young black string players: "Now we have to figure out the hurdle of getting those players in orchestras, or as soloists. Connect them with managers, agents, orchestras to breach that gap."
