Photo credit: Lakeland Ledger
Dr. Kira Omelchenko
Winner of the 2016 International Conductors Workshop and Competition, Dr. Kira Omelchenko is an Associate Professor of Music and the Conductor of the Wilfrid Laurier University Symphony Orchestra (Ontario, Canada). Previous positions include the Director of the Orchestra and String Studies at Florida Southern College and the Director of Orchestra and Strings at The University of Tampa (United States). A passionate educator, Dr. Omelchenko received the prestigious 2018 Miller Distinguished Professor Award, which recognizes one faculty member’s excellence in Teaching, Advising, and Service. In addition, as a recipient of the National American Prize in Music (Prize Winner in Opera Conducting), she served as the Interim Artistic Director of the St. Augustine Youth Orchestra and has been invited to conduct at the Vienna Opera Academy in summer 2022.
Guest Conducting Engagements
- Vienna Opera Program, conducting participant (Invited for 2021, postponed to Aug 2022 due to the pandemic).
- Orlando All-County Festival, Guest Conductor, high school orchestra, Orlando, FL (invited for Nov 2020, postponed to 2022 due to pandemic).
- Waterloo Chamber Players, Guest Conductor, Waterloo-Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (invited for May 2021, postponed to May 2022 due to pandemic)
- Florida All-State Orchestra, Guest Conductor, Honors Orchestra, Tampa FL (Virtual Conference, Jan 2021).
- The University of Aveiro Orchestra, Portugal, Guest Conductor and Artist in Residence (June 2019)
- Vidin State Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgaria, Guest Conductor (May 2018)
- The University of Aveiro Orchestra, Portugal, Guest Conductor and Artist in Residence (June 2018)
- Hillsborough All-County Festival, Guest Conductor, 7/8 middle school orchestra, Tampa, FL (Jan 2018).
- Osceola All-County Festival, Guest Conductor, high school orchestra, Kissimmee, FL (March 2018).
- Pinellas All-County Festival, Guest Conductor, high school orchestra, St. Pete/Clearwater, FL (Feb 2017).
- Imperial Symphony Orchestra, Guest Conductor, Lakeland, FL (Feb 2017)
- Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Guest Conductor (Jan 2017)
- St. Petersburg, Russia, Orchestra Conducting Festival (August 2015)
- Imperial Symphony Orchestra Opera Productions, Assistant Conductor (Jan 2016)
- St. Augustine Youth Orchestra, Interim Artistic Director (Fall 2015)
- Hillsborough All-County Festival, Guest Conductor, 11/12 high school orchestra, Tampa, FL (Spring 2014).
- Polk All-County Festival, Guest Conductor, 11/12 high school orchestra, Lakeland, FL (Spring 2014).
Mentorship and Coaching Services
For private conducting lessons, mentorship for conductors and music educators, coachings, clinics, masterclasses, violin lessons, career advice, resume building, preparing for auditions and interviews for graduate schools, conducting positions, jobs in academia.
(available virtual and in-person)
additional services also include:
- Rehearsal clinics with string or full orchestra (virtual available)
- Conducting clinics and masterclasses
- Opera conducting lessons
- Mentorship, consultation, guidance for music educators
- Guidance for teaching a remote/virtual music class or ensemble
- Review of audition videos and rehearsal videos
- Review of CV, resumes, bios, cover letters
- Review of additional audition materials
- Editing service for resumes, CV, bios, cover letters
- Mock interviews and auditions for jobs and graduate school
- Review of grant and scholarship application materials
- Mentorship for first-year music educators
- Consultation for developing a virtual ensemble
- Assistance with audio and video editing a virtual performance
Awards and Recognitions
- Miller Distinguished Professor Award, recognizes excellence in teaching, advising, service and scholarship (Florida Southern College, May 2018)
- Winner of the Mastering the Concerto Conducting Festival (Bulgaria) (2017)
- First Prize Winner, International Conductors Workshop and Competition in Atlanta, GA (2016)
- Finalist and Prize Winner, American Prize in Music (3rd prize, Opera Division) (2014)
- Semi-finalist, American Prize in Music (Orchestral Conducting) (2014)
- Sigma Alpha Iota Conducting Scholarship (2012)
In the News
Dr. Kira Omelchenko
Kira Omelchenko (Music) is the conductor of the Laurier Symphony Orchestra. She has conducted professional orchestras and operas across the globe in countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, ortugal, Italy and th nited States. That experience informs her research and creative scholarship, which includes honing the art of gestural communication and collaborating with local Indigenous composers and musicians on new compositions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Omelchenko produced, designed and directed a virtual performance series for the Laurier Symphony Orchestra.