Conductor Wojciech Milewski is an energetic and dynamic presence on and off the podium. A recent winner of the 2023 American Prize in Conducting, he is also the recipient of the 2019 HSO Harold Farberman Prize, and was a finalist in the 2019 Los Angeles Conducting Competition.

Wojciech is in his eighth season as Music Director of the Summerville Orchestra, and in his fourth season as Music Director of Charleston Opera Theater. Under his baton, the Summerville Orchestra was the winner of the 2023 American Prize in Orchestral Performance, and 2nd place winner of the Vytautas Marijosius award for its innovative programming efforts. Since his tenure as music director began in 2016, the S.O. has started three separate outreach series and a youth orchestra program, commissioned two new works by composers Rene Orth and Chris Pilsner, and expanded in size and scope, effectively doubling its active musician roster. He has collaborated with global artists such as Michael Chioldi, Tuffus Zimbabwe, Cassie Pilgrim, Robert Auler, Phillip Bush, and more. As a conductor, he is passionate about creating lively and interactive concert experiences, fostering community development, audience engagement and inclusion.

In 2016, Wojciech served as Music Director for the world premiere of Joe Illick’s UnShakeable with Santa Fe Opera, which was recently revived in Charleston by Charleston Opera Theater. He also served as Assistant Conductor of the Opera NEO festival in San Diego, and as Associate Conductor at El Paso Opera. Other recent highlights include performances with the Charleston Symphony, Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, Henderson Symphony Orchestra, and the Lee County Orchestra (NC).

Off the podium, he maintains an active performing career as a pianist and clarinetist, regularly appearing on both in the Summerville Orchestra’s Encore Series, and performing locally throughout the Charleston area. Previous performing experience includes the second clarinet position with the Roswell Symphony (NM), and solo/featured appearances with Opera Southwest, New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, San Juan Symphony, and the National Broadway Tours of “Wicked” and “Book of Mormon.” He is the current vocal coach and accompanist for the opera department at the College of Charleston.

A native of Poland, Wojciech grew up in New York City. He graduated with distinction with his Master’s of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Mexico, and graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Oswego.

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