About

Founded in 2010, Seattle Modern Orchestra (SMO) is the only large ensemble in the Pacific Northwest solely dedicated to the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. Led by co-artistic directors Julia Tai and Jérémy Jolley, SMO commissions and premieres new works from an international lineup of composers, in addition to presenting important pieces from the contemporary repertoire that are rarely if ever heard by Seattle audiences. The ensemble “operates at that exciting cusp between old and new, between tradition and innovation” (Vanguard Seattle) curating new sounds and experiences for concert goers in the region.

SMO provides audiences with performances of the best in contemporary chamber and orchestral music, and develops radio talks, lectures, and other forms of outreach in an accessible and inviting format all designed to expand the listener’s appreciation and awareness of the music of today.

Julia Tai

Julia Tai has established herself as one of the most capable young conductors on the international stage. Her career has led to acclaimed performances and rehearsals with professional and youth orchestras around the world, including the American Youth Symphony, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, Estonian National Youth Symphony, New Symphony Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil Carlos Chávez. She was a conducting participant in the renowned Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice at the New England Conservatory, and a quarter finalist in the fourth Eduardo Mata Conducting Competition in Mexico. A champion of contemporary music, Ms. Tai is the founder and artistic director of the Seattle Modern Orchestra, and premiered many works with the Seattle Chamber Players, Seattle Experimental Opera, and the Affinity Ensemble of the Washington Composers Forum. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Ms. Tai began her violin studies at age four and piano at eight. She gave many recitals and performed concerts with choirs and orchestras, which toured extensively in Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, United States, Japan, and Taiwan. Ms. Tai received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where she was honored with the departmental award of “Outstanding Graduate of 2004.” She obtained her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington, where she served as the principal conductor of the Contemporary Ensemble, the assistant conductor of the University Symphony, and conducted the UW Opera in their productions of Mozart’s La finta giardiniera and Kurt Weill’s Die sieben Todsünden.

Jérémy Jolley