When Steven Karidoyanes took over the Music Director post
of the Plymouth Philharmonic, one reviewer said of this
dynamic and versatile conductor that he
...conducted an illuminating and riveting
performance of an all-orchestral program...
and prophetically added: When an orchestra
earns a standing ovation for an entire program without a
featured soloist, the conductor bears watching.
Another critic wrote:
...a poignant combination of old-world
nobility and dreaminess.. and continues:
Karidoyanes seems unafraid to take
interpretative risks in familiar repertoire.
Critics and audiences alike have hailed his
performances as triumphant, challenging,
satisfying, and
masterful.
Now in his sixth successful season as Music Director of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston native Steven Karidoyanes brings a rich and varied wealth of musical experiences to the podium. In addition to being the artistic head of the PPO, Mr. Karidoyanes is the Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of Symphony by the Sea, located north of Boston. He has held the posts of Music Director of the Boston College Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony and Greensboro Symphony orchestras in North Carolina, and Assistant Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. While with these orchestras, he conducted subscription, pops, educational and summer concerts, as well as annual ballet performances of The Nutcracker with the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Dance.
Steven Karidoyanes is a popular guest conductor, widely known for his innovative, imaginative programming. His engaging personality invites musicians and audiences to respond enthusiastically. Engagements have included the Syracuse Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and orchestras in the Washington, D.C. region. In 1998 he returned to guest conduct the Winston-Salem Symphony in multiple Family Concerts in February and two Pops programs in the summer. He also conducted a Pops concert with the Rhode Island Philharmonic in May featuring John O'Hurley (J. Peterman) from television's "Seinfeld" series.
Mr. Karidoyanes has served as Program Director, Conductor and Coach with the Young Artists Programs and the Young Artists Orchestra of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute for ten seasons, and has served on the conducting faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music. His skill and success in working with young musicians led to his guest conducting the Massachusetts Northeast, Southeast and Western District Senior High School Festival Orchestras over two consecutive seasons. As Music Director of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, he is leading the development of a variety of educational outreach programs that introduce the Philharmonic's music to the entire community of Boston's historic South Shore.
In addition to his performing activities, Mr. Karidoyanes is also a composer. His most recent commission (Café Neon: Fantasy on Greek songs and dances) will premiere this season in April with the Quincy (MA) Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as a classical music announcer/producer for National Public Radio affiliates in Massachusetts, North Carolina and Indiana.
Steven Karidoyanes holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Boston University. He received training in orchestral conducting at the Canford School of Music in Dorset, England where he studied with the renowned British conducting coach, George Hurst. Additional orchestral studies earned him the Outstanding Graduate Student Award for two consecutive years from Ball State University in Indiana.
Mr. Karidoyanes lives in Boston with his wife Amy and their two young sons, Michael and Nicholas.
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"The ending of the movement was beautifully controlled by Karidoyanes' delicate touch"
THE WASHINGTON POST