Education
Wilson began studying the violin at the age nine, and later received a full scholarly to attend the Saint Louis Conservatory of Music. She received a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Denver, and earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. She attended Yale School of Music for conducting studies, and then returned to Colorado to complete her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Wilson has taught at the university level with several university faculties, including a position as Director of Orchestral Studies and Music Director with the Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra.
Career
She made her debut conducting the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at the age of 21, making her the youngest woman to conduct a major American orchestra. She later went on to serve as a music director and conductor for seven American orchestras. In addition, she has performed a guest conductor role in Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia.
Antonia Joy Wilson has performed extensively in Europe and North America, and has previously served as Artistic Director and Conductor for the Midland Symphony Orchestra (2008-2011).
Guest Conductor for the San Francisco Sinfonietta (2003-2008). Principal Guest Conductor for the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra (2001-2003).
In addition, she has been conductor for the Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Florida (1998-2001), the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra in Colorado (1994-1999), and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey (1990-1994), among others She has held several guest conductor positions and tour engagements in Latin America, Europe, Asia and North America.
In 2011, she joined New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts to serve as conductor for its international orchestra.
Antonia Joy Wilson has been noted by several sources as an example of women gaining ground in the field of conducting, which has historically been dominated by mentor She was one of several women noted in a Los Angeles Times article on women cracking the “glass podium” of conducting by being appointed to positions in major American orchestras.
