Cascade Conducting
Orchestrate the Narrative
In music, as in life, the way you convey your story shapes the narrative.
Sarah Ioannides, Artistic Director
Sarah Ioannides has gained recognition as one of the most inspiring and creative conductors of her generation.
Excellence Through Equity
Cascade Conducting is dedicated to bringing world- class musical education to talented and diverse musicians from the US and around the world. Conceived by Paula Madrigal, Teo Benson, and Sarah Ioannides in 2017, Cascade Conducting is officially a program of Orquesta Northwest, a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Since 2018, Cascade Conducting has given out 30 full tuition scholarships equaling more than $50,000 to exceptional young conducting and composing students, with a focus on engaging talented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) musicians who may not have access to traditional avenues or opportunities.
A unique pedagogical philosophy has formed the mission of Cascade Conducting, which seeks to provide a unique map for navigating the world of music and conducting, and to find balance between the demands of the business, and the preservation of one’s individual musicianship as a necessity to achieve excellence.
In 2020, in a partnership with Symphony Tacoma, Cascade Conducting teamed up with Symphony Tacoma composer in residence, and now Dean of the School of Music at Julliard, David Serkin Ludwig, to create the first Cascade Composers Workshop with David Ludwig, and culminated in the performance of "The Final Conquest" presented by Symphony Tacoma. In this concert, Cascade Conductors led Symphony Tacoma in a performance of the compositions created for the purpose of the workshop by participants of the Cascade Composers Workshop. This performance was recorded at Pantages Theater, the home of Symphony Tacoma, and is available to view on the Symphony Tacoma YouTube page. Ludwig will be joining the 2023 Cascade Conducting Masterclass again for the fourth annual Cascade Composers Workshop.
Last year Cascade Conducting teamed up with Dr. Geoffrey Boers, music director of Symphony Tacoma Voices to present the first Cascade Conducting Choral Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers. The Orchestral Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides, Second Annual Choral Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers, and Third Annual Cascade Composers Workshop will run simultaneously the week of June 26th- July 1st 2023, giving participants from each class the opportunity to learn from different teachers and disciplines at the Sixth Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides.
Upcoming 2025 Sessions:
Dates: June 19th- JUNE 29th, 2024.
Location: Pacific Lutheran University, Mary Baker Russell Music Building
About the Orchestral Masterclass
Led by Maestra Sarah Ioannides of Symphony Tacoma, and this year joined by internationally recognized conductor, composer, and the father of Maestra Sarah Ioannides, Ayis Ioannides, the Cascade Conducting Masterclass offers orchestral conductors an incredible array of opportunities. Each full participant will receive 60+ minutes of instructional podium time with the Cascade Conducting Orchestra, led by Symphony Tacoma principal musicians. All participants will conduct the orchestra every day, including a professionally recorded final concert on Saturday, June 31st, 2023.
Dr. Geoffrey Boers
Dr. Geoffrey Boers is Director of Choral Activities and the Ruth Waters Professor of Music at the University of Washington Seattle, where he leads a program widely recognized as innovative and forward thinking, focused on nurturing the whole student as conductor-teacher- scholar-servant-leader.
About the Choral Masterclass
Led by Dr. Geoffrey Boers, Music Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, the Cascade Conducting Choral Masterclass offers choral conductors 60+ minutes of instructional podium time with the Symphony Tacoma Voices, as well as two sessions with the Cascade Conducting Orchestra (rehearsal and concert), led by Symphony Tacoma principal musicians. The final concert on Friday, June 30th, will be professionally video- recorded and made available to participants. The class will be a hands-on exploration of gesture developing artistry, evoking group vocal technique, and singer-student based rehearsal pedagogy.
About The Composer Workshop
David Serkin Ludwig
David Serkin Ludwig is an American composer, teacher, and Dean of Music at The Juilliard School.
Cascade Composing is a composition program headed by internationally acclaimed composer, and Dean of the Music School at Julliard, David Serkin Ludwig. The 2023 composer's workshop is open to six outstanding composers that will be chosen by Ludwig and the Cascade team. These composers will have the opportunity to work with David virtually in the weeks leading up to the Cascade Conducting Masterclass, as well as during the Masterclass itself, and will compose a work to be played by the Cascade Composers Sinfonietta in a public reading during the 2023 Workshop, conducted by participants of the 6th Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass.
These works will also be eligible to be chosen as repertoire for the 2024 Cascade Conducting Masterclass, and performed by the Cascade Conducting Orchestra at the 7th Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass final concert in 2024.