KRistiina Poska

Kristiina Poska, next Music Director of the Orchestre Français des Jeunes 

President Dominique Dujols, the Board of Directors and the Orchestre Français des Jeunes team led by Charlotte Ginot-Slacik are delighted to announce the appointment of Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska as Music Director from the Summer of 2025.

She follows into the footsteps of the Danish conductor Michael Schønwandt who has brought the orchestra to its current heights with charisma, high standards and talent. Mr. Schønwandt's tenure was marked by his great ambition in terms of repertoire, by his unfailing commitment to the life of the orchestra and by numerous public successes. The orchestra would like to thank this great musician for the dedication, benevolence and high standards with which he has guided and accompanied the young musicians of the OFJ for four wonderful years.

A brilliant conductor, Kristiina Poska is currently the Music Director of the Orchestre Symphonique des Flandres and the Principal Guest Conductor of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. She has also been Music Director of the Basel Theater and Kapellmeister at Komische Oper Berlin. 

She works regularly with orchestras worldwide such as the BBC Philharmonic and BBC Scottish Symphony orchestras, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouworkest, hr-Sinfonieorchester, Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich, Minnesota Orchestra and Oregon Symphony Orchestra to name a few. In France, she has conducted Orchestre National de France, Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre National de Metz and debuts with Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France this season.

Kristiina Poska’s appointment is in line with the OFJ's project, based on excellence in training for symphonic repertoires, international influence and the prefiguration of the evolution of the profession of orchestral musician. 

Her commitment to the younger generation, interest in the music of our time, and ability to unite orchestral musicians support the ambitions of the OFJ, a unique training facility in France and acclaimed abroad for its very high standards.

“I am extremely proud and honored to become the new Music Director of the French Youth Orchestra, and to follow into the footsteps of such magnificent predecessors. In recent years, I have been fortunate to work with young musicians and conductors on a regular basis. I find it very inspiring and rewarding, as one can focus fully to the music and work, shape and explore together in depth. I am looking forward to passing on some of my experience and knowledge to the future generation of French musicians, to enjoy the inspiring setting of the orchestra’s home base - Saline royale d’Arc-et-Senans and to perform together in some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls.” Kristiina Poska

Michael Schønwandt has agreed to prolong his tenure until the end of 2024. In 2024 both Michael Schønwandt and Kristiina Poska will be working with the orchestra in alternating projects, in order to guarantee a smooth transition in the interest of the orchestra and its musicians.