Meet Our Music Director

Dietrich Paredes

A distinguished conductor from Venezuela, Paredes has made significant contributions to the world of classical music through his dynamic leadership and innovative approach to orchestral performance. As a product of Venezuela’s renowned “El Sistema” program, Paredes has built an impressive international career, conducting various esteemed orchestras across the globe.

Parades began his notable tenure as the Music Director of the Caracas Youth Orchestra (CYO) in 2008. Under his direction, the CYO toured extensively throughout South America, Asia, and Europe, performing at prestigious venues and festivals such as the Salzburg Festival, the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Dvorak Festival in Prague, the Beethovenfest in Bonn, and the Ravello Festival in Italy.

His international career includes conducting engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2012-2013), Orchestra della Tosca at the Cortona Festival (2014), which led to a re-invitation to their 2015-2016 subscription series in Florence. In the 2015-2016 season, he debuted with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Toulon Symphony Orchestra in France, and undertook extensive projects with the Australian Youth Orchestra.

More recently, Paredes played a pivotal role in the New York Philharmonic’s weeklong celebration of music education in April 2024, commemorating the centennial of the Young People’s Concerts. He prepared a 95-member youth ensemble alongside the iconic maestro Gustavo Dudamel. This initiative highlighted Paredes’ dedication to nurturing young talent and expanding the reach of classical music education.

Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2017, Paredes has been working with some of the most advanced musicians in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, further solidifying his reputation as a leading conductor and educator in the classical music community.