Guest Conductor Alan Medak Will Take Center Stage at May 2024 Pops Concert

At the age of 12, Alan embarked on his conducting journey under the guidance of legendary horn pedagogue William Mercier in Wilmette, IL. Despite his horn-focused studio, his weekly lessons encompassed solfège, theory, chamber music, and conducting. He showcased his burgeoning skills by conducting in various settings, including the senior talent show in high school and Illinois’ District 219 Summer Theater’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree in music from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, Alan pursued graduate studies at the Lamont School of Music in Denver. While working as a waiter at an Italian restaurant, fate intervened when he met the producer of the Tabor Opera Company, leading to his appointment as its new music director and conductor.

Rediscovering Passion and Professional Milestones

Alan’s passion for conducting persisted despite a hiatus for a more traditional career and family. In Los Angeles, he found his way back to the podium, conducting at Cass Italiana Opera Company, and within a few years, he became a regular guest conductor. Then, in 2007, he co-founded the Vineyard Touring Opera Company with Doug Acker with the mission of opera per tutti (opera for all). Alongside numerous productions of well-known and popular operas such as Rigoletto, Pagliacci, Cosi fan Tutte, and Otello, Alan’s proudest accomplishment is the original opera “Golondrina” by L. C. Harnsberger, which premiered in 2015 and captivated audiences with its portrayal of historical events in 1920s Los Angeles.

Alan’s conducting repertoire extends beyond opera, with invitations to conduct orchestral and instrumental music at festivals and events as far away as Wisconsin and throughout southern California. Although this marks his first concert conducting with La Mirada Symphony, Alan is no stranger to the Southland’s orchestra scene, frequently returning as a guest conductor with numerous ensembles.

Enriching Lives Through Music

As the Music Director of the Vineyard Touring Opera Company, Alan remains committed to bringing live classical music to underserved communities in Los Angeles, continuing to enrich lives through the power of music.