The West Australian Symphony Orchestra has extended its engagement with one of Australia’s most talented young conductors, Jen Winley, elevating her to the position of Associate Conductor.

The two-year appointment sees Winley become the first Associate Conductor in the organisation’s history.

Jen Winley. Photo courtesy Queensland Symphony Orchestra

“I am so happy to be offered the role of WASO Associate Conductor for 2024,” Winley said. “It is an incredible opportunity to continue my relationship with WASO in an expanded capacity. I am grateful to be able to continue to work with and learn from Asher Fisch and am really looking forward to all the great projects lined up for 2024.”

Winley’s rise has been close to meteoric. Following a career as percussionist and music educator, Winley was a participant in WASO’s 2020 and 2021 Emerging Conductors program, and made her professional conducting debut while still part of the program in 2020. She went on become WASO’s Assistant Conductor in 2022, conducting 12 concerts and a further 24 concerts in 2023.

She quickly established herself as a versatile conductor, making her film conducting debut in 2021 with WASO for Home Alone in Concert....