Symphony New Brunswick welcomes Michael Newnham as its Music Director and Principal Conductor. No stranger to SNB, Michael has conducted the orchestra in concerts throughout the province in the 2005-6 season. He has also appeared as Conductor for the Gala concert given by Opera New Brunswick in 2006.
Michael Newnham comes to SNB with a rich background in symphonic, pops, opera and ballet performances throughout Europe, Asia and Canada.
A native of Hamilton, Michael Newnham pursued his musical education at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, the Indiana University School of Music, and the University of Toronto. While still a student, he became a member of the Conducting Staff of the Warsaw Chamber Opera, leading performances of Mozart’s "Le Nozze di Figaro’, "Die Zauberfloete" and "Mitridate", as well as "Il Matrimonio Segreto" of D. Cimarosa to great critical acclaim.
Along with his duties with SNB, Michael Newnham is currently Music Director of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Northumberland Orchestra and Choir. Under his leadership, both orchestras have been experiencing a period of unprecedented artistic growth.
His passion for music education and making music with young people is reflected in his work as Music Director of the Kawartha and Mississauga Youth Orchestras, and as a faculty member of Music at Port Milford and the National Music Camp of Canada.
He has recently been honoured to be Music Director for highly acclaimed performances of R. Murray Schafer’s "Patria: The Enchanted Forest" and has conducted a special gala memorial concert for Pope John Paul II at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.
Mr. Newnham has been Guest Professor of Conducting at the Taegu Hyosung University in South Korea. The recipient of numerous awards, including ‘Best Operatic Conductor’ from the East Slovakian State Opera and the Order of Merit from the Republic of Poland, he was recently presented the Turzanski Foundation award for his services in promoting Polish music and culture in Canada.
In his private life, he is married to cellist Zuzanna Chomicka-Newnham, and has two lovely daughters, Gabriella and Alina. His interests outside of music include languages, literature, cross-country skiing, and exploring the complexities and improbabilities of brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
