At the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, we are committed to supporting the next generation of musicians, composers, conductors, and audiences. Building a vibrant future for classical music depends on creating meaningful opportunities for emerging artists to develop their voices, gain professional experience, and connect with the communities they serve.
Through artistic fellowships as part of the Centre for Musical Leadership, we support early-career artists as they navigate, grow, and thrive in the Canadian music industry. These fellowships provide mentorship, creative collaboration, and valuable on-stage experience, helping artists build the skills and networks that sustain long-term careers.
Conducting Fellowships
Program Overview
The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director, James Kahane invite applications for its 2026-27 Season Conducting Programs. The programs are immersive, hands-on opportunities for emerging conductors to develop their craft in a professional orchestral setting. These tuition-free, one season programs are designed to provide meaningful podium time, personalized mentorship and direct experience working with a professional orchestra.
The Centre for Musical Leadership offers two unique conducting fellowship programs:
Meet the ‘26-’27 Conducting Fellows
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Thomas Burton
Conductor Fellow & Assistant to the Music Director
Read Bio -
Charles Amoah
Conductor Apprentice
Read Bio -
Keegan Thomas Hedley
Conductor Apprentice
Read Bio
Composer Fellowships
“It continues to be a delight to work with our enthusiastic and talented Hamilton Phil Composer Fellows and Future Award winners. We have created a mentorship program that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Canada. These composers are highly educated yet university programs do not cover much of what composers are expected to do in the real world.
– Hamilton Phil Composer-in-Residence,
I am proud of the Hamilton Phil’s commitment to the current and future voices of our country and of our ability to deliver a truly useful and inspiring program.”
Abigail Richardson Schulte
Meet the ‘26-’27 Composer Fellows
Meet the ‘26-’27 future award winners
Program support provided by:
Women in musical leadership
conductor fellowship
Program Overview
The Hamilton Phil is thrilled to be a participating orchestra in the Women and Musical Leadership program led by Tapestry Opera. This program addresses a historic gender inequity on the podium by providing female and non-binary conductors active mentorship with leading conductors in the field, deep and varied experience with professional companies, and a robust artistic network. Previous Hamilton Phil Music Director Gemma New is among the program’s conducting advisors.