Growing up she was a pianist and a singer, and in her twenties, Victoria Bond become the first woman to receive a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the Juilliard School. Since then she’s served as music director and conductor for major orchestras. Composition is her first love she explains, but it’s taken time to carve out the space to devote herself to it. She’s composed music in nearly every genre: symphonic works, chamber music, keyboard, operas and other vocal music, and music for dance. Many of the subjects of her operas are powerful women - most recently she wrote a work for narrator and orchestra inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She reveals how she was catcalled when she first stood on the podium and how trailblazing women conductors don't seem to be regarded as role models. Links Music Credits: Frescos and Ash: Street Musicians Chicago Pro Musica “Instruments of Revelation” - Naxos 8.559864 Instruments of Revelation: The High Priestess Chicago Pro Musica “Instruments of Revelation” - Naxos 8.559864 Mrs. President: I’m Told I’m a Citizen Valerie Bernhardt, soprano Alaska Opera, Victoria Bond conducting From a 2012 production Molly ManyBloom: Flowers Carol Meyer, soprano Renee Jolles and Shem Guibbory, violins; Ronald Carbone, viola; Maxine Neuman, cello “Yes” - Albany Troy 578 Each week in Creative Confidential Jude Kampfner chats to an independent professional performance or visual artist about how they survive and thrive. They share details of moving between projects, becoming more entrepreneurial, finding the best opportunities and developing a signature image and style. Her guests range from lyricists to novelists, videographers to sound designers. A broadcaster, writer and coach, Jude gently probes and challenges her so that whatever your line of creativity you learn from her advice and the experiences of her lively guests. REACH OUT TO JUDE: -  Theme music composed by Gene Pritsker. Show Producer and Editor, Mark McDonald.