Kalena Bovell
Kalena Bovell | |
|---|---|
 Bovell in 2021 (photo by Jamie Pratt) | |
| Alma mater | Chapman University; University of Hartford Hartt School |
| Occupation | Conductor |
| Website | www |
Kalena Bovell is a Panamanian-American conductor and recipient of the 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence. [1] In addition to her work as a conductor, she is also active as a speaker and poet. [2]
Biography
Early life and education
A native of Los Angeles, Bovell began playing the violin at the age of eleven. She discovered her interest in conducting while pursuing a degree in music education at Chapman University’s College of the Performing Arts. After enrolling in an introductory conducting course, she decided to pursue conducting at the graduate level. Bovell earned both a Master of Music and a Graduate Professional Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from The Hartt School, where she studied under Edward Cumming. She also holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Chapman University, which recognized her as a Distinguished Alumna in 2021.[3]
Work
Bovell has worked as the orchestra director at the Loomis Chaffee School and in 2015 staged the Swan Princess, an adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.[4]
In 2017, the Chicago Tribune wrote that Bovell's skill at conducting Slavonic Dances: Opus 46 No. 2 and Opus 72 No. 7 by Antonín Dvořák was "brilliant".[5]
Bovell became the assistant conductor for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in 2019.[4] As of 2020, Bovell is the only African-American and Hispanic conductor in the United States.[6]
References
- ^ "2024 Sphinx Medals of Excellence Honorees Announced". The Violin Channel. March 12, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "One Night, Two World Premieres at U-M". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. February 2, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "Career Q&A with Kalena Bovell '09". Chapman University College of Performing Arts. October 7, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ a b Cristi, A.A. (June 6, 2019). "Memphis Symphony Orchestra Announces Kalena Bovell As New Assistant Conductor". Broadway World. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ Dagenhart, Natalia (January 18, 2017). "Chicago Sinfonietta Gave its Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr". Archived from the original on January 23, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
- ^ Susanin, Roger; Lank, Olivia (March 6, 2019). "Only female African American Hispanic conductor to guest conduct New Britain Symphony". WFSB. Retrieved December 16, 2019.