Anna Handler Named Conductor-in-Residence for Next Three Seasons

The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced on April 7, 2026, the appointment of Anna Handler to the newly created position of conductor-in-residence. Handler, a 29-year-old German conductor and former Dudamel fellow, will serve in this role for the next three seasons.

The appointment comes as Gustavo Dudamel enters the final stretch of his tenure as the music and artistic director of the orchestra. Handler’s role is designed to integrate her into the orchestra’s leadership team without replacing the overarching music director position.

Scope of the Residency

As conductor-in-residence, Handler will spend three weeks of each season conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic. These performances will take place at both the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.

Beyond the podium, Handler’s responsibilities include community engagement and education. She is scheduled to work with students at the Beckmen YOLA Center located in Inglewood.

Professional Background and Appointments

Handler has previously served as an assistant conductor at the Boston Symphony, where she was based at the time of her appointment. Her career has expanded rapidly, including a recent appointment as the chief conductor of the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast.

In addition to her role with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Handler is scheduled to become an artist in residence at the Beethoven House in Bonn later in 2026.

Handler previously held a position as a Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a formative period she cited as critical to her artistic growth.

I have long admired the LA Phil as one of the most dynamic and innovative orchestras in the world. My time as a Dudamel Fellow was profoundly formative, and it is especially meaningful to deepen this relationship with an orchestra that has played such an important role in my artistic journey.

Anna Handler

Organizational Transition and Leadership Model

The appointment of Handler is part of a broader shift in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s leadership structure. Kim Noltemy, the orchestra’s president and chief executive, stated that the appointment does not necessarily mean the orchestra will not eventually seek a music director to oversee the institution’s overall artistic direction.

Noltemy indicated that the orchestra’s expansive nature and diverse activities mean that no single individual can manage every aspect of the organization. This has led the L.A. Phil to build a team of creative collaborators.

As part of this collaborative model, former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen will serve as creative director. Salonen will spend six weeks per season helping to define the future of the 21st-century symphony orchestra.

One of my greatest joys has been to watch our Dudamel Fellows continue to rise and share their incredible musical talents across the globe. Anna — with her boundless skill, curiosity, passion, and inspiration — is a perfect example, and I am so proud to welcome her back to our LA Phil family in this new capacity

Gustavo Dudamel

Technological Innovation

Handler has expressed a strong interest in integrating technology into her work with the orchestra. She intends to explore projects utilizing the latest devices to enhance the musical experience.

One specific concept Handler proposed is the development of a technology tool that focuses a listener’s attention on sound vibrations. She compared the intended effect of such a device to how glasses provide clarity to blurry vision, posing the question, Why not glasses for the ears?

Anna is such a talent on the podium, and her artistry and musical ideas have cultivated a deep connection with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, galvanizing the musicians and supporting the orchestra’s continued artistic evolution. Her work furthers our broader vision of a leadership model that reflects artistic excellence, expansive and innovative programming and our dedication to the communities we serve

Kim Noltemy