Music Director Mélisse Brunet leads the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. Photo by Darren Elias Photography.
In Friday’s (6/2) Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), Margaret Roarty writes, “At the end of 2021, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Music Director Mélisse Brunet was invited to Paris to compete in La Maestra, the only international competition for female conductors. Brunet, a native of Paris, was one of 14 finalists—out of more than 200 applicants from around the world—who competed against each other for the chance to win several cash prizes, as well as personalized, professional support and mentoring. Brunet’s experience, along with that of her fellow contestants, is chronicled in the documentary film ‘Maestra,’ directed by Maggie Contreras, which will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 9 in New York City…. The film details the daily obstacles female conductors face while trying to find success in a field that has, historically, had little room for them…. In 2016, according to the League of American Orchestras, 14.6% of U.S orchestra conductors at all levels were women. Only 9.2% had the title of music director. Even women who do manage to break the mold continue to face rampant sexism.” Brunet is also music director of the Lexington Philharmonic in Kentucky.
