Newswire | NACO Renews Daniel Barthlomew-Poyser as Principal Youth Conductor

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The NAC Orchestra is delighted to announce the renewal of Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser’s appointment as Principal Youth Conductor for an additional three seasons, alongside his new role as Community Ambassador, effective immediately.

“It is an honour to serve as part of the conducting team at Canada’s National Arts Centre. Over the past several seasons, we have created music and artistic resources that have inspired young audiences across Canada. I am looking forward to doing even more of the same in the seasons to come, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce even more young people to the magic of Canada’s NAC Orchestra.”
— Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

“We’re thrilled Daniel will continue as our Principal Youth Conductor,” adds Nelson McDougall, Managing Director of the NAC Orchestra. “His passion for music and his gift for engaging even the youngest of audiences make every performance an opportunity to inspire and delight. We look forward to seeing how his expanded role will deepen that impact even further.”

Community connections

Since joining the NAC Orchestra in the 2022–2023 season, Daniel has built deep, lasting connections with people of all ages, including families, educators, and community partners. This expanded role reflects his exceptional leadership beyond the stage, bringing orchestral music into communities with limited access to live symphonic experiences. Daniel holds similar community-facing positions with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the San Francisco Symphony and is Music Director of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.

Under his leadership, the Orchestra’s popular Family Adventures and Student Matinee programs have welcomed thousands of participants each season. By speaking directly to his young audiences, Daniel breaks down complex musical ideas with clarity, humour, and warmth, often sparking a child’s first meaningful connection to orchestral music. Teachers regularly note that students leave Daniel’s performances feeling energized, asking questions, imagining themselves as musicians, and seeing music as a worthy and relevant art form.

Highlights of his tenure include Reggae Roots, co-created with Jamaican-born Canadian singer-songwriter Jah’Mila; inclusive programs such as Steelpan Symphony, Thorgy Thor and the Thorchestra; and the Great Canadian Orchestra Field Trip, a coast-to-coast digital learning initiative that combines live performance, storytelling, and interactive exploration of pressing global issues such as climate change and sustainability.

In his expanded role, Daniel will continue shaping the Orchestra’s family and youth programming while helping lead major community partnerships nationally. He returns to Southam Hall later this season for Why Sci-Fi, a NACO Family Adventures performance celebrating imagination and discovery.