Strong ideas, lucid communication and intensely focused energy are among the qualities that make the Franco-British conductor one of today’s most compelling musicians. Already, her command of the symphonic and operatic repertoire has established her as a major force on both sides of the Atlantic.
Childress is Principal Guest Conductor of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica de Barcelona y Nacional de Cataluña) and marked the start of her tenure with performances of Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Strauss’s Metamorphosen. She continues to be reinvited internationally, and this season returns to the Cleveland Orchestra, New World Symphony, Berlin Konzerthausorchester and l’Orchestre National Île-de-France. This season she will have debuts with the San Francisco, Houston and San Diego Symphony orchestras. She will also make several UK debuts with the Halle, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Recent highlights include debuts with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, and her Japanese debut with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony.
Inspired to pursue conducting through her love of opera, Childress began her 2023/24 season at the Hamburg Staatsoper conducting Die Entführung aus dem Serail and returning to Glyndebourne’s autumn season for Don Giovanni. Together they mark the latest milestone in the development of a fine Mozartian, hailed by the Guardian for the “lithe vitality” of her interpretation of Le nozze di Figaro at Glyndebourne and on tour in 2022. A passionate advocate for contemporary opera, last season also marked her debut at the Detroit Opera with Missy Mazzoli’s Breaking the Waves and the world premiere of Simon Voseček’s Ogres at the Prague State Opera.
From 2020 to 2023, Childress was the assistant conductor of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, mentored by Stéphane Denève. During her tenure, she enjoyed multiple subscription concerts with the orchestra and formed meaningful links to the community through her work as Music Director of the St Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Childress also has strong ties to the French cultural scene following her second-prize win at the 2020 inaugural conducting competition, La Maestra. Since then, she has conducted l’Orchestre de Paris, the Paris Mozart Orchestra and l’Orchestre de Chambre de Paris. In September 2023, following her involvement as one of the first conducting fellows of l’Académie de l’Opéra de Paris, she made her debut at the Palais Garnier with l’Orchestre Pasdeloup for l’Opéra’s opening gala concert.
A passionate advocate for amplifying the role of music within today’s world, Childress previously undertook a residency at the Villa Albertine, a network for arts and ideas spanning France and the United States. She is also a member of the Franco-British Young Leaders’ Program, a scheme created by the Franco-British Council to further cooperation across both sides of the Channel. Stephanie is a relentless supporter of youth music programs and is passionate about conducting, coaching, and mentoring young musicians. She is currently the artistic director of the Sun Valley Music Festival Institute and this summer returned to the Sarasota Music Festival.
