Joseph Swensen

Joseph Swensen is a renowned American conductor, violinist, and composer, celebrated for his multifaceted musical talents and deep connections with orchestras and audiences worldwide. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, and raised in Harlem, New York City, Swensen's journey in music has been marked by numerous accolades, including the Leventritt Foundation Sponsorship Award and the Avery Fisher Career Award. His conducting career spans across Europe and beyond, with notable positions such as Artistic Director of the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra in Wroclaw, Conductor Emeritus of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada. Swensen's compositions, including his innovative "The Ring Odyssey," showcase his unique artistic vision. Beyond his performing and composing, Swensen is also passionate about music education, as evidenced by his TEDx talk on the impact of music on the developing brain. In addition to his professional engagements, Swensen and his wife Victoria offer workshops and residencies at their historic farmhouse in Vermont, nurturing the next generation of musicians.