La Maestra 2026 — Quarter-finals

The 4th edition of the La Maestra Competition reflects its ambitions, with gender parity represented in its prestigious international jury and more of a platform for the female composers during each of the rounds. 

Co-founded by the Paris Mozart Orchestra, led by Claire Gibault, and the Philharmonie de Paris, the La Maestra Competition and Academy were created to raise the visibility of women conductors and actively support their professional development. After three successful editions in 2020, 2022, and 2024, La Maestra has become a landmark event in the international classical music world. Since its inception, it has brought to light some of the most exciting emerging talents in conducting, including Franco-British conductor Stephanie Childress, Polish conductors Anna Sułkowska-Migoń and Joanna Natalia Ślusarczyk, German-Ukrainian conductor Ustina Dubitsky, and Israeli conductor Bar Avni, winner of the 2024 First Prize.

The 4th edition of the Competition will take place from 23 to 28 February 2026 at the Philharmonie de Paris. The jury will be chaired by one of today’s leading international conductors: Oksana Lyniv, Music Director of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Principal Guest Conductor of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra, and Founder of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.