4th Edition of the biennial Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors – February 23–28, 2026
In 2020 the Paris Mozart Orchestra and the Philharmonie de Paris joined forces to create La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors, to be held biennially at the Philharmonie de Paris. The competition is complemented by an Academy providing professional guidance and support to the laureates over a two-year period.
After three landmark cycles, La Maestra has firmly established itself as a major event in the international classical music calendar. Together, the Paris Mozart Orchestra and the Philharmonie de Paris work to unite the musical world around a solid commitment to support women conductors, inspire new vocations and drive lasting change.
The 4th edition of La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors will take place from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 February 2026 at the Philharmonie de Paris. Among the applications received from around the world, 16 conductors have been selected, representing 13 different nationalities, with an average age of 28. The call for applications, which opened from 8 March to 8 July 2025, was met with success, with a record number of 225 applications submitted.
Several nationalities are represented for the first time this year: two Turkish conductors, one Cuban conductor, one Mexican conductor, and one Palestinian conductor residing in France, will take part.
Over the course of five days, the candidates will take turns conducting the Paris Mozart Orchestra. And for the first time since the competition was created, they will also have the opportunity to conduct the Orchestre de Paris during the final on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February. This new format will make it possible to broaden the repertoire offered to the finalists, who will conduct the Paris Mozart Orchestra in Au fil du geste, a new work by Singaporean composer Diana Soh, as well as works from the Romantic repertoire (Beethoven, Brahms), before rejoining the Orchestre de Paris for a large-scale symphonic programme (Stravinsky, Ravel).
The gender-balanced jury will bring together leading conductors, orchestra directors and prominent figures from the musical world.
This year we are honoured to have Christine Lagarde as the patron of La Maestra. Drawing on her exceptional career, her commitment strengthens our work for equality and the recognition of every talent.
The jury will be chaired by Ukrainian conductor 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). It will include, among others, Claire Gibault (Artistic and Music Director of the Paris Mozart Orchestra), Wayne Marshall (conductor, organist and pianist), Vineta Sareika (violinist and former concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker), Matías Tarnopolsky (President and CEO of the New York Philharmonic), Fabienne Voisin (President and CEO of the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal), and Philipp von Steinaecker (conductor and cellist).
At the end of the competition, three prizes will be awarded:
– First Prize: €20,000
– Second Prize: €10,000
– Third Prize: €5,000
In addition to several special prizes.
As part of the La Maestra Academy, the finalists and semi-finalists will also benefit from a personalized artistic and professional mentoring programme, in collaboration with the French and international partners of the Philharmonie de Paris and the Paris Mozart Orchestra.
Since its inception La Maestra has served as a true springboard for women conductors, launching the careers of such talented artists as Israeli conductor Bar Avni (1st Prize in 2024), Franco-British conductor Stephanie Childress (2nd Prize in 2020), Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya, Polish conductor Anna Sułkowska-Migoń (1st Prize in 2022), Greek conductor Zoe Zeniodi (2022 semi-finalist), Music Director of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Buenos Aires and Korean-American conductor Holly Hyun Choe (2020 semi-finalist), recently appointed Music Director of both the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Orchestre national de Cannes.
Whilst women conductors are increasingly invited by leading musical institutions worldwide there remains much progress to be made. Each edition of La Maestra reminds us that the talent is there – rich, diverse, in abundance and undeniable. We must continue to give these artists the visibility and support they so rightly deserve.