In December 2016, Bourby Webster (PSO Executive Director) formed the Jessica Gethin Conductor’s Circle. This was a vision to see the career of Perth Symphony’s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, and good friend, soar.

Jessica is one of the most talented people Perth Symphony is honoured to have on their team, and one of PSO’s greatest assets. We strongly believe her career, nationally and internationally will fly with the right support.

As a mother, woman and Western Australian, she faces more barriers than most to launching her international career. Bourby had the vision to change this, with the support of other incredible women who want to see Jessica succeed.

“Jessica is a phenomenal world-class talent. I truly believe that when Jess reaches her full potential (and she is well on her way to doing so, in no small part due to the incredible support of the women who joined the Circle), the impact on other Western Australian women and girls hoping for a career on an international stage despite being based in Perth will be profound. She is a true role model on and off the stage, and I am incredibly proud of what she has already achieved. She so deserves the support she needs to go to the next level.”
Bourby Webster, June 2017

There are currently 22 women in the ‘Jessica Gethin Conductor’s Circle’, who have committed $1500 per year for two years to assist Jessica in some of the following activities:

• Sourcing an Australian agent to increase booking potential with Australian orchestras – involves flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
• Creation of professional promo material including video footage from a rehearsal (staged) and a concert
• Meetings with head artistic programming personnel from the main target orchestras in Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, Adelaide Symphony, Queensland Symphony
• International business development trip to Japan and China, to include flights and accommodation to meet with Artistic Teams from the Tokyo Phil and others.

Jessica has achieved so much in her musical career so far, and the last few years especially have seen her grow exponentially. This year (August) she will be the touring Conductor with ‘The Legend of Zelda:Symphony of the Goddesses’, which is touring with a 57 piece orchestra and 24 piece choir, kicking off in Perth later this year featuring Perth Symphony Orchestra.

“I am extremely honoured and overwhelmed by the generosity and support the inaugural members of the Women’s Conductor’s Circle have shown. As the Circle heads to celebrate our first six months, the benefits to my career have already been life changing. The Circle has allowed me to travel overseas twice this year, where I have already secured two international contracts and made contacts with several key personnel who are vital in increasing my future visibility in this unique and challenging career. A huge thanks to all these incredible women of the circle, led by PSO Director Bourby Webster; the driving force behind this initiative.”
Jessica Gethin, June 2017

To hear more about Jessica’s achievements and upcoming plans, please visit her website.  You can also follow Jessica’s journey on Facebook and instagram @jessicagethin.