Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

December 13, 1979 in Sale, Victoria, Australia

 

Jessica Cottis is a renowned conductor, composer, and presenter in the world of classical music. Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1980, Cottis grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist. Cottis started playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the violin and the trumpet. Cottis attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she studied composition and conducting. She later moved to London to pursue her studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where she earned a Master of Music degree in conducting. During her time at the Royal Academy of Music, Cottis was awarded the prestigious Sir Charles Mackerras Conducting Prize. Cottis began her career as a conductor in 2004, when she was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She later worked as the assistant conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2009, Cottis made her debut as a conductor with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducting a program of works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. Since then, Cottis has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She has also conducted opera productions at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the English National Opera. Cottis is known for her innovative programming and her commitment to contemporary music. She has conducted many world premieres of new works by composers such as Mark-Anthony Turnage, Brett Dean, and Anna Clyne. In 2013, Cottis was appointed as the principal conductor of the Glasgow New Music Expedition, a contemporary music ensemble based in Scotland. In addition to her work as a conductor, Cottis is also a composer. Her compositions have been performed by many leading ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, Cottis was commissioned by the BBC to write a new work for the Last Night of the Proms, which was broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world. Cottis is also a well-known presenter and broadcaster. She has presented many programs for BBC Radio 3, including the Proms Plus series and the Discovering Music series. She has also presented programs for BBC Four, including a documentary about the life and work of the composer Igor Stravinsky. Cottis has received many awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2012, she was awarded the Women of the Future Award in the Arts and Culture category. In 2014, she was named as one of the Top 35 Women Under 35 by Management Today magazine. In 2016, she was awarded the prestigious Arts Foundation Fellowship in Conducting. In conclusion, Jessica Cottis is a highly accomplished musician who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Her innovative programming, commitment to contemporary music, and exceptional conducting skills have earned her a reputation as one of the leading conductors of her generation. Her work as a composer and presenter has also been widely acclaimed, and she has received many awards and accolades for her achievements.

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