Jessica Gethin appointed Principal Conductor of West Australian Ballet

Jessica Gethin, one of Australia’s leading conductors, has been appointed to the position of Principal Conductor of West Australian Ballet.

Aurélien Scannella, Artistic Director of West Australian Ballet, said the appointment signals the Company’s continued commitment to excellence and artistic integrity.

“It represents a significant development for the Company and celebrates our close relationship with Jessica, who has proved herself as one of the most exciting and well-respected conductors in our region,” said Mr Scannella.

“Jessica has played a big part in our recent successes, becoming an integral member of the West Australian Ballet family.”

Gethin’s career on the podium continues to go from strength to strength, with her acceptance of the Principal Conductor position at West Australian Ballet adding to the list of her recent milestones and accolades.

“I am a proud West Australian and it is important to acknowledge my commitment to WA and West Australian Ballet, a company I admire and consider one of the leading arts organisations in Australia,” said Ms Gethin.

After a successful debut with West Australian Ballet in 2019 conducting Giselle, often regarded as one of the most difficult ballets to conduct, she went on to conduct various productions with the Company including ALICE (in wonderland), The Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, and Swan Lake.

“It is a huge responsibility, yet also my passion to bring the two integral elements of ballet together, to breathe life into the score while supporting the dancers on stage, to create a musical narrative that is seamless and cohesive,” added Gethin.

In addition to her work with the West Australian Ballet, Gethin has conducted numerous leading organisations including West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Born in Australia, Gethin, an alumna of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and now head lecturer and recently appointed Head of Orchestral Studies and Conducting at the Academy, was a finalist for the West Australian of the Year (Arts and Culture) award in 2019 and nominated by Limelight Magazine as among the ‘Top 20 Australian Artists of the Year’ in 2017.