David Hattner
Hailed as "calmly authoritative" by The New York Times and "brilliant" by The Chicago Tribune, David Hattner's dynamic presence extends beyond his role as the first American-born Musical Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. His fervor for American compositions shines, but it's his uncanny talent to birth orchestras from scratch that truly distinguish him. Even more, his talents don't end on the podium. He's an accomplished clarinetist, having trained under the tutelage of the legendary Robert Marcellus. From live radio broadcasts to roles as principal clarinetist in various orchestras, his musical prowess knows no bounds. He will be conducting the Fall Concert.
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Dr. Marlan Carlson
Dr. Marlan Carlson, revered for his fervent dedication to mentoring young talent, thrives at the intersection of music and education. As a professor emeritus of Oregon State University (OSU) and former music director of the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra, he returns for the Holiday Favorites concert to once again uplifts students to realize their potential both in music and life. Garnering his Doctor of Musical Arts from the prestigious Eastman School of Music and holding accolades as a Fulbright Scholar and Danforth Fellow, Dr. Carlson's musical journey has taken him from being the principal violist in orchestras like the London Symphony to conducting the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. He served as chair of OSU's Music Department for 17 years and was involved in leadership in various international study programs.
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Lance Inouye
Japanese-American maestro Lance Inouye boasts a commanding presence across the musical spectrum, serving as the Artistic Director for both the Willamette Valley Symphony and The Portland Concert Opera, while also leading the Lewis & Clark Orchestra at Lewis & Clark College. His diverse engagements span from Portland Opera to Hawai’i Opera Theatre and orchestras from Naples to St. Petersburg. Recently, Inouye shared his expertise in conducting masterclasses from Bangkok to Bolivia. Awarded at various European conducting competitions, and notably securing the 2nd prize at the 2019 Makris International Conducting Competition, Inouye's academic prowess traces back to the Aspen Music Festival under David Zinman, a Doctorate from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory, and post-graduate studies in Russia's esteemed St. Petersburg State Conservatory “Rimsky-Korsakov”. He will be conducting the Winter Concert.
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Valery Saul
Acclaimed as a "powerful presence on the podium" by Marin Alsop, Valery Saul's exceptional leadership spans prominent orchestras, including her recent appointment with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and cover conductor roles for ensembles like the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. She's celebrated for her striking rendition of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2, securing 2nd place at the Denver Philharmonic International Conducting Competition, among other achievements. With significant engagements ranging from masterclasses at the Kennedy Center to conducting opera in Vancouver, Valery's prowess is amplified by her education from Peabody Conservatory and mentorship under giants like Alsop, Măcelaru, and Nézet-Séguin. Beyond the baton, she also shines as a professional opera singer, adding a melodic dimension to her versatile talent. She will be conducting the Spring Concert next year.
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