Biographies

Stéphane Denève, Music Director

Stéphane Denève currently is Music Director for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Brussels Philharmonic, Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Director of the Centre for Future Orchestral Repertoire (CffOR). Recognized internationally for the exceptional quality of his performances and programming, Denève regularly appears at major concert venues with the world's greatest orchestras and soloists. He has a special affinity for the music of his native France, and is a passionate advocate for music of the 21st century.
Read more

Leonard Slatkin, Conductor Laureate

Following a successful tenure as Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony from 1979 until 1996, Leonard Slatkin was named Conductor Laureate. Born in Los Angeles to a distinguished musical family, his parents were the conductor-violinist Felix Slatkin and cellist Eleanor Aller, founding members of the famed Hollywood String Quartet. Slatkin began his musical studies on the violin and studied conducting with his father, followed by Walter Susskind at the Aspen Music Festival and School and Jean Morel at the Juilliard School.

Read Mor

Kevin McBeth, IN UNISON Chorus Director

Kevin McBeth was appointed Director of the IN UNISON® Chorus in January 2011. McBeth is the Director of Music at Manchester United Methodist Church in suburban St. Louis. He serves as full-time administrator for the Music Ministry, which includes 18 choral and handbell ensembles, involving nearly 500 children, youth and adults. He has also recently served as Adjunct Professor in Choral Music at Webster University. Over the past 20 years, he has conducted honor, festival and touring choirs (choral and handbell) in the United States and Canada.
Read more

Marie-Hélène Bernard, President and CEO

Marie-Hélène Bernard joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) as President and CEO on July 1, 2015. Under her leadership, the SLSO has sharpened its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, community connections, and access to music—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music. Bernard has fostered SLSO's strengths as a responsive and nimble organization while invigorating partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally.