Alexander Shelley

One of the foremost conductors of his generation, Alexander Shelley is a passionate and articulate advocate for the role of music in society. He is known for his creative programming, including over 50 major world premieres. The 2025-2026 season marks Shelley’s 11th and final as Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, as he has been appointed Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. In 2024, he was named the third Music Director of the Pacific Symphony, and since the 2024-2025 season, he has been the Artistic and Music Director of Artis−Naples in Florida. Since 2015, he has also served as Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and his eight-year tenure as Chief Conductor of the Nürnberger Symphoniker was hailed as a golden era for the orchestra.

Shelley is a regular guest with renowned orchestras across six continents, including the Helsinki, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Malaysian, Oslo, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Philharmonics and the São Paulo, Houston, Seattle, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Montreal, Toronto, Munich, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand Symphonies. Born in London to concert pianists, Shelley studied cello and conducting in Germany and gained widespread attention when he was awarded first prize at the Leeds Conductors Competition.