Described by the New York Times as a conductor with “unquestionable strength and authority,” Sarah Ioannides became the Music Director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005. Now in her seventh season, Ioannides is recognized for captivating audiences with graceful and powerful conducting combined with compelling interpretations. Noted for her innovative programming and creative artistic leadership, Ioannides is also praised by the American Symphony Orchestra League as one of the nations top emerging conductors.

Guest Conducting
Ioannides’ guest conducting engagements span five continents and include such orchestras as the Orchestra Nationale de Lyon, Flemish Radio Orchestra at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Bachakademie in Stuttgart, Nordic Chamber Orchestra, Swedish Wind Ensemble, Orquesta Sinfonica Municipal de Caracas, Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea, Cyprus State Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony & the Naumburg Concert Series in New York City. She has also appeared in special engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New World Symphony & the London Symphony Orchestra.

Prior Work
In 2008, Ioannides’ debut CD was released with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and violinist, Lara St. John. It was reviewed by Gramophone music magazine as “directed with panache,” and features the Academy Award winning Suite from the Red Violin by John Corigliano and two world premiers.

Prior to her current appointments, Ioannides was the Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth, and was awarded the Bruno Walter Assistant Conductor Chair; one of only two awards presented by the Bruno Walter Foundation in the United States during the 2003-2004 season. Currently Music Director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005, Ioannides also served as Music Director for the El Paso Symphony Orchestra from 2005-2011.

From 1999 to 2003, Ioannides served as Assistant Conductor to composer Tan Dun touring Japan, China, Hong Kong, Russia, France, Germany, Sweden, the USA & the UK. As such, she conducted the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Flemish Radio Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and the Oregon Bach Festival. In February, 2005 at the request of Tan Dun, Ioannides conducted Dun’s Water Passion in Perth, Australia as the first conductor to perform this work other than the composer.

Opera Productions
Among several opera productions, Ioannides led the European premiere of Stephen Paulus’ The Woodlanders. Additional production highlights include the works of Mozart, Britten and Offenbach, as well as numerous collaborations with opera companies and festivals worldwide.

Born in Australia, Ioannides was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States at the Curtis Institute of Music as a conductor. She subsequently earned a Masters of Music in Conducting at the Juilliard School. In 2001, she received the JoAnne Falletta Award for the most promising female conductor.

Ioannides is managed exclusively by Columbia Artists Management, Inc.