Originally from Limoges, France, Julie Desbordes is a fast rising conductor known for her engaging style, energetic interpretations and emotional communication with her musicians and audiences. Currently Artistic Director of the QUO Orchestra in New York City and on the faculty of Arizona State University, her recent international appearances as a guest conductor include concerts in Venezuela, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Cuba. She is also Associate Conductor of Education and Outreach for The Chelsea Symphony (NYC).

Ms. Desbordes has a special passion for educational outreach, and is known for creating interesting programs that bring a wider and more diverse audience into concert halls. She served for many years as Site Director and Orchestra Director for New Yorkʼs The Harmony Program (El Sistema USA), and in this capacity was named “New Yorker of The Week” by Columbia University. She was one of two finalists for the Directorship of the Los Angeles Philharmonicʼs El Sistema Youth Orchestra program (YOLA), and has been a featured guest at El Sistema programs nationwide, most recently in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Hawaii and Connecticut.

Julie is featured in the 2015 Netflix documentary about El Sistema USA by Jamie Bernstein (daughter of Leonard Bernstein) entitled “Crescendo! The Power of Music”. She appeared in a recent (2014) episode of the hit classical-music drama “Mozart In The Jungle”, and has also been noted in national pieces about El Sistema by PBS, ABC and CBS.

Julieʼs love for music began from the moment she picked up the cornet at age 8 in her native France. Soon after, she was identified as a talent with the baton as well, leading to her winning conducting prizes including 1st Prize, 2nd named at the French National Conducting Competition in Paris. She was named Co-Director of the Harmonie Municipale de Limoges at the age of 21.

Ms. Desbordes holds multiple degrees in both conducting and trumpet from each of the following: Conservatoire de Musique Limoges, Conservatoire de Musique Bordeaux and Conservatoire de Musique Montreal. Her conducting mentors include Raffi Armenian and Gustav Meier.