Short Bio

Concise Biography
Released July 1, 2026
See also Laura Jackson (conductor) on Wikipedia

An eloquent artist on and off the podium renowned for her captivating performances and dynamic leadership, American conductor Laura Jackson is praised for her creativity, passion, and commitment to music as a source of connection and enrichment for all. A tireless advocate for excellence in performance as well as for music education, she is a true believer in the essential importance of music for the health and vitality of our communities.

Jackson serves as the fourth Music Director and Conductor of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, a post she has held since 2009. Prior to that, she held the position of Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

A 21st-century conductor at home with repertoire from every era, Jackson is recognized for her powerful and original interpretations of Romantic masterpieces, her championing of new music through community-engaged commissioning projects, and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of musicians, composers and conductors.

Under Jackson’s leadership, the Reno Philharmonic has expanded its community and education programs to including four youth orchestras, movies with live orchestra, an annual Play and Sing for a Day—in which amateur community musicians perform side-by-side in concert with Reno Phil professionals and live streaming of concerts.

A frequent guest conductor, Jackson has performed with many orchestras across the United States, including the symphonies of Atlanta, Baltimore Detroit, Colorado, Buffalo, Phoenix, Alabama, Orlando and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia leading a packed “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” concert with cellist Zlatomir Fung in 2025. Internationally, she has led performances across Canada, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Algeria, the Philippines, and China, and her relationships with orchestras continue to expand. Guest engagements this season include performances of Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Toronto, Sleeping Beauty with the A.V.A. Ballet, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

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