CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Passion is the conductor of the beautiful sound inside the Belk Theater on Thursday. And it’s Kwame Ryan’s passion for music that’s led him to his newest endeavor.
“My instrument is made up of a whole load of other human beings,” he said.
Ryan is the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s newest music director and its first Black director too.
“Between the first time that I came, which was January of last year and then the return visit which was November of last year, the relationship with the orchestra and the entire team developed and grew in a way that was really encouraging and promising,” Ryan said.
For the first time since taking the job several months ago, Ryan is now on the Charlotte stage.
Ryan will conduct two concerts, presenting Brahms’s "First Symphony" and Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo Theme" featuring cellist Sterling Elliott. The piece from Brahms is special to Ryan.
“For this symphony to reappear in my first appearance with my third orchestra is strangely coincidental and serendipitous,” he said.
Born in Canada and raised in Trinidad, Ryan’s passion for conducting music began at nine years old.
Elliott said he also developed his passion for music at a young age.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be working with him. I’m very pleased with this dynamic between the Charlotte Symphony and Kwame. It’s just a match made in heaven,” Elliott said.
The concerts will take place on April 5 and 6. Ryan will officially start his tenure this fall.
“I really love this city. I love this orchestra,” he said.
Contact Nick Sturdivant at nsturdiva1@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.