New York City Ballet Hired Two New Conductors
The company has appointed new artistic staff to manage its substantial repertoire and performance volume.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
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New York City Ballet has added Beatrice Jona Affron and Andrew Hilary Grams to its artistic staff as it enters its Fall Season. These leadership hires aim to support the organization's high volume of performances and expansive musical repertoire.
Why it matters
Securing veteran artistic leadership is essential for managing the rigorous demands of a large-scale performing arts organization with a dense seasonal schedule. Attracting experienced talent like Affron and Grams allows the company to maintain production standards across a high volume of performances.
The appointments bring in a leader with a 33-year conducting career and a returning artist who previously spent 6 years in the company orchestra. Grams brings additional experience from conducting engagements across 4 continents.
The players
New York City Ballet
A major non-profit performing arts institution that manages a high volume of ballet productions and complex musical repertoire.
Beatrice Jona Affron
The new Associate Music Director who brings 33 years of professional conducting experience, including a leadership role at Philadelphia Ballet.
Andrew Hilary Grams
The new Conductor in Residence and former NYCB violinist who has conducted professional orchestras across 4 continents.
Alexei Ratmansky
A prominent choreographer currently scheduled to lead a production of Romeo & Juliet in 2027.
The details
Beatrice Jona Affron joins as Associate Music Director, following her tenure as Music Director of Philadelphia Ballet, while Andrew Hilary Grams returns as Conductor in Residence. Grams previously performed as a violinist with the NYCB Orchestra for six years before training at the Curtis School of Music. Both conductors are now integrated into the artistic staff to oversee the company's complex performance schedule.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Affron conducted Serenade in Saratoga Springs.
Fall 2026: Affron and Grams joined the NYCB artistic staff.
Winter 2027: The company will perform Alexei Ratmansky's production of Romeo & Juliet.
Market Landscape
The hiring of musical leadership aligns with the organization's long-term production schedule, specifically the planned 2027 Winter Season production of Romeo & Juliet. This move follows the trend of established arts institutions reinvesting in specialized artistic staff to sustain complex repertoire.
Operators in the arts and events sector should monitor how these leadership changes influence the company's production efficiency and seasonal capacity. Tracking the successful execution of upcoming large-scale projects like the 2027 production serves as a benchmark for staffing success.
The takeaway
Staffing high-level creative roles with veterans who possess prior knowledge of organizational culture can streamline complex production cycles. Leaders should prioritize long-term artistic roadmaps, such as the 2027 winter production schedule, when finalizing their executive search strategy.
What happens next
The company is scheduled to mount Alexei Ratmansky's production of Romeo & Juliet during the 2027 Winter Season.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local organizational leadership, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Playbill.
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