Jung-Ho Pak Brings A "New
Vision" of Classical Music to San Diego
Described
by the New York Times as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm",
the Los Angeles Times as “a real grabber", and twice
by the San Diego Union-Tribune as one of the most "impactful
people to watch", Maestro Pak has developed
a reputation as a visionary and influential leader.
His “new
vision” for classical music in San Diego
is to create a joyous, emotional and dramatic musical experience
for today’s audiences, an experience that attracts a whole new
generation to classical music.
Jung-Ho Pak has careers as both
a music director with a revolutionary vision of classical music
and as a nationally acclaimed educator. In 2007, Mr. Pak began
his tenure as artistic director and conductor of the Cape Cod
Symphony Orchestra (capesymphony.org), one of the largest orchestras
in Massachusetts (second only to the Boston Symphony Orchestra).
Mr. Pak was named music director emeritus of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, one of the largest and historic orchestras in the New England region, in 2007 after completing his eighth season with them. In 2003, he was appointed music director of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and director of orchestras at the Interlochen Center for the Arts (interlochen.org). The WYSO is one of the oldest and most well known orchestras of its kind, as well as an international ambassador for the arts and peace.
From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Pak led the San
Diego Symphony to become a nationally recognized artistic and
financial success through a personalized and contemporary approach.
His innovative creation, the "Light Bulb Series," was
a revolutionary new concept in classical music, utilizing multimedia
technology, non-classical connections, drama and theatrical
staging in an interactive and approachable way. These concerts
reached a younger adult audience while providing traditional
audiences with a deeper appreciation of classical music.
Mr. Pak
strongly believes an orchestra belongs to its community, and
has produced specific concerts for the Latino, Chinese, Korean,
Indian, Jewish and African-American communities.
He has served as music director with two important music conservatories: the University of Southern California (USC) Symphony and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has also served as principal conductor of the Emmy-nominated Disney Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra for eight years and as music director of the International Chamber Orchestra, NEXT Chamber Orchestra, Colburn Chamber Orchestra and Diablo Ballet.
Guest conducting
has taken him to Europe, the Soviet Union, South America and Asia.
Mr. Pak is also a frequent speaker on television and radio about
the relevance of art in society and the importance of music in education.
Our Associate Conductor
A vibrant and passionate musical advocate both on and off the podium, Dana Mambourg Zimbric connects with her orchestral colleagues and audiences through her musical authority and exceptional on-stage presence.
Born in the Midwest, Zimbric was educated at the University of Wisconsin where she studied clarinet performance and orchestral conducting. Upon completion of her Master’s Degree, Zimbric moved to San Diego and began her professional career on the conducting faculty of the San Diego Youth Symphony. Over the past 9 years, Zimbric has worked to become well-respected in her field for her focused attention on education and broadening classical music audiences.
As an educator, Zimbric has been active in the San Diego Unified School District’s music programs, most recently as Guest Conductor of the 2011 High School Honors Orchestra, whose orchestra performed to rave reviews. Previously, she led the Elementary and Middle Honor Orchestras for the district as well as the San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts 2009 Summer-Intensive Orchestra, all to similar success. Since 2003, Zimbric has been the Music Director and Conductor for Classics 4 Kids and the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra, a San Diego based professional orchestra that performs for nearly 25,000 school children each season.
In addition to her position with Orchestra Nova and Classics 4 Kids, Ms. Zimbric is the Music Director of the California Chamber Orchestra in Riverside County and has conducted orchestras in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, WI, Ann Arbor, MI, Norwalk, CT, Santa Cruz, CA and Puerto Rico.
Ms. Zimbric and her family make their home in San Diego, CA.
