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Home Podcast Photos Upcoming Events Videos Articles and Reviews Radio Broadcast Schedule History of the EPO Mission and Values Board of Directors 2024-2025 Sponsors 2024-2025 Philharmonic Gives Back Donors 1/17/2023 - 1/17/2024 Thoughtful Tributes 1/17/2023 - 1/17/2024
Roger Kalia
Music Director

Photo by Daniel Knight of Studio B Photography

     Innovation and dynamism are the hallmarks of Indian-American conductor Roger Kalia. A respected collaborator with orchestras and artists alike, and a compelling presence both on and off the podium, Kalia is known for his eloquent and passionate interpretations and for bringing a “fresh view to classical music” (The Republic). Music Director of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony NH (Symphony New Hampshire), and Orchestra Santa Monica, he is also the Co-Founder and Music Director of the celebrated Lake George Music Festival in upstate New York, which celebrates its ten-year anniversary in August 2021.  

     Kalia reimagined the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2020-21 season around COVID-19 with great success, which featured the world premiere of Paul Dooley’s River City, celebrating both the Philharmonic and the city of Evansville.  He also programmed works by living composers such as Jessie Montgomery, Jessica Meyer, T.J. Cole, and Reena Esmail, and curated unique collaborations with Evansville Civic Theatre, Historic Bosse Field, the Evansville Wartime Museum, Ballet Indiana, and tango dancers from the University of Evansville.

     During the 2021-22 season, Maestro Kalia makes his subscription debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Spartanburg Philharmonic, and returns for performances with Poland’s Szczecin Philharmonic, and the Hollywood Chamber Orchestra at the Redlands Bowl. 

     A native of New York State, Roger Kalia holds degrees from Indiana University, the University of Houston and SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. Kalia was recently recognized in the League of American Orchestras’ Symphony Magazine as one of five first-year music directors for his innovative work during the pandemic.  Among his honors and awards are five Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards (2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021), a 2019 Solti Foundation Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency with Lyric Opera of Chicago (where he assisted Sir Andrew Davis for Rossini’s The Barber of Seville), a Project Inclusion Conducting Freeman Fellowship with Chicago Sinfonietta, and an American Academy of Conducting Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival.  

     In 2011, Kalia won Second Prize in the Memphis Symphony International Conducting Competition, which led to his debut with the orchestra the following season and launched his professional career. Earlier posts include serving as Associate Conductor of California’s Pacific Symphony, Assistant Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Young Musicians Foundation (YMF) Debut Orchestra, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (IN).

 

Roger Kalia
Music Director

Photo by Daniel Knight of Studio B Photography

     Innovation and dynamism are the hallmarks of Indian-American conductor Roger Kalia. A respected collaborator with orchestras and artists alike, and a compelling presence both on and off the podium, Kalia is known for his eloquent and passionate interpretations and for bringing a “fresh view to classical music” (The Republic). Music Director of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony NH (Symphony New Hampshire), and Orchestra Santa Monica, he is also the Co-Founder and Music Director of the celebrated Lake George Music Festival in upstate New York, which celebrates its ten-year anniversary in August 2021.  

     Kalia reimagined the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2020-21 season around COVID-19 with great success, which featured the world premiere of Paul Dooley’s River City, celebrating both the Philharmonic and the city of Evansville.  He also programmed works by living composers such as Jessie Montgomery, Jessica Meyer, T.J. Cole, and Reena Esmail, and curated unique collaborations with Evansville Civic Theatre, Historic Bosse Field, the Evansville Wartime Museum, Ballet Indiana, and tango dancers from the University of Evansville.

     During the 2021-22 season, Maestro Kalia makes his subscription debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Spartanburg Philharmonic, and returns for performances with Poland’s Szczecin Philharmonic, and the Hollywood Chamber Orchestra at the Redlands Bowl. 

     A native of New York State, Roger Kalia holds degrees from Indiana University, the University of Houston and SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. Kalia was recently recognized in the League of American Orchestras’ Symphony Magazine as one of five first-year music directors for his innovative work during the pandemic.  Among his honors and awards are five Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards (2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021), a 2019 Solti Foundation Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency with Lyric Opera of Chicago (where he assisted Sir Andrew Davis for Rossini’s The Barber of Seville), a Project Inclusion Conducting Freeman Fellowship with Chicago Sinfonietta, and an American Academy of Conducting Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival.  

     In 2011, Kalia won Second Prize in the Memphis Symphony International Conducting Competition, which led to his debut with the orchestra the following season and launched his professional career. Earlier posts include serving as Associate Conductor of California’s Pacific Symphony, Assistant Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Young Musicians Foundation (YMF) Debut Orchestra, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (IN).