Francisco Noya, 2014 April 16
Francisco Noya, conductor and professor in Berklee College of Music’s Composition department, discusses his early musical training in his native Venezuela, the impact of El Sistema on both Venezuelan culture and his life, and his conducting career with the National Youth Orchestra in Valencia, the Caracas Philharmonic, and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra. He also talks about teaching conducting at Berklee, what he advises students interested in the profession, and the challenges of pursuing a career in music and particularly conducting. Noya also discusses influential conductors, memorable performances and favorite composers (namely J.S. Bach and Jean Sibelius), the hallmarks of a great conductor, his favorite composers, and his love of travel.
Conductor and music director Francisco Noya was born and raised in Venezuela and studied cello under Hector Vasquez, principal cellist of Venezuela’s National Symphony. Noya worked extensively with the educational and performing program El Sistema, which led to his first conducting position with the Youth Orchestra of Valencia. After earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in composition and conducting from Boston University, Noya was appointed to serve as assistant conductor of the Caracas Philharmonic and assistant to the music director of the Teatro Teresa Carreño. He also served as music director for both the Longwood Symphony Orchestra and the Empire State Youth Orchestra. In 2001, Noya began teaching at Berklee College of Music, where he serves as an associate professor in the Composition department. He was the music director of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra from 2008 through 2017 and has been the resident conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra since 1997.
