Joana Carneiro facts for kids

Joana Carneiro (born Joana Maria Amaro da Costa da Luz Carneiro on 30 September 1976 in Lisbon) is a famous Portuguese conductor. A conductor is like the leader of an orchestra, guiding the musicians to play together perfectly.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Joana Carneiro is one of nine children. Her father, Roberto Carneiro, was a former Minister of Education in Portugal. This means he was in charge of schools and learning for the whole country. Her uncle, Adelino Amaro da Costa, was also a well-known politician.

When Joana was young, she played the viola, which is a musical instrument similar to a violin. She loved music and decided to study it seriously. She went to a special music school in Lisbon, Portugal, called the Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra.

Studying to Become a Conductor

Joana continued her music studies in the United States. She earned a master's degree from Northwestern University and later studied for a doctorate at the University of Michigan. During her time at the University of Michigan, she also gained valuable experience by leading the university's symphony and philharmonia orchestras. This was an important step in her journey to becoming a professional conductor.

A Rising Star in Conducting

Joana Carneiro first caught the attention of the music world in 2002. She was a finalist in a major competition for conductors held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. This helped her become known as a talented new conductor.

From 2002 to 2005, she was the Music Director for the Los Angeles Debut Orchestra. She also worked as an assistant conductor with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Later, she spent three years (2005-2008) as a conducting fellow with the famous Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Leading Orchestras in Portugal

Joana Carneiro also took on important roles in her home country, Portugal. In the 2005–2006 season, she became the Principal Guest Conductor of the Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon. The next year, she became the principal guest conductor of the Gulbenkian Orchestra, a position she held until 2013.

Conducting in the United States

In January 2009, Joana Carneiro was chosen as the Music Director of the Berkeley Symphony in the US. She was the first woman to hold this important position. Her first concert as their music director was in October 2009. She led the Berkeley Symphony until the end of the 2017–2018 season. After that, she was given the title of music director emerita, which means she is still honored for her past leadership.

In September 2013, Joana Carneiro was also named the principal conductor of the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa. This orchestra performs at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, a famous theater in Portugal.

Recent Performances

Joana Carneiro has continued to conduct many orchestras around the world. In August 2019, she made her debut at the Edinburgh International Festival. She led the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in a performance of pieces by Sir James MacMillan.

Personal Life

Joana Carneiro is married to José de Assunção Gonçalves, who is a doctor. They got married in September 2011. In February 2017, they welcomed triplets into their family!

Awards and Recognition

• 2002: National Conductor Search of the Young Musician's Foundation
• 2010: Helen M. Thompson award from the League of American Orchestras