by Gweneth Ngo, Classics 4 Kids Intern
Dana Zimbric is not only our visionary conductor and educator here at Classics 4 Kids, but also an advocate for classical music and its accessibility to everyone, especially children across San Diego County. She has dedicated her 20+ career and her work to making music not only relevant and meaningful, but engaging for diverse communities.
This Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight our very own Artistic Director and Conductor: Dana Zimbric! She continues to inspire future generations, share the beauty of classical music, and most importantly, refine what it means to be a woman in the arts. She was given the purple baton this year. The purple baton is a symbol that celebrates women and advocates in the classical world, as it symbolizes the representation and resilience of women in music. While celebrating Dana and her accomplishments, we also celebrate women conductors and leaders who encourage girls to envision themselves on the podium.
What first inspired you to pursue conducting, and how did your journey lead you into artistic leadership?
Dana Zimbric’s interest in conducting was sparked unexpectedly in high school. “I didn’t know conducting was something I could pursue,” she recalls. She continued her musical journey throughout college, where she studied clarinet performance as an undergraduate, but her path in music shifted after being pulled aside and told she had potential in conducting. Zimbric began taking conducting lessons and found herself drawn not just to playing music, but to fostering the shaping of all the parts coming together to create an artistic vision. That passion led her to pursue a master’s degree in conducting. After moving to San Diego, she became involved with the San Diego Youth Symphony and later began her work with Classics 4 Kids.
As a woman in a predominantly male field, what challenges have you faced and how has it affected who you are today?
Zimbric reaffirms how conducting is a very competitive field where aspiring conductors find it hard to secure opportunities. Despite that, she describes how she has been very fortunate to be treated with respect throughout her career. There have been moments that reminded her what it is like to be a woman in this field, as she recalls one interview where, instead of being asked about her artistic and conducting style or musical vision, she was asked what she planned to wear on the podium. “I just wanted to talk about music,” she shares, as she emphasizes how she wishes they had given attention to her artistic skillset, not discredited it.
As a young conductor, Zimbric did not see many women in leadership roles to whom she could personally relate. She was thankful to have found inspiration in role models like her graduate mentors, Margery Deutsch and Diane Wittry, whom she observed as leaders who perfectly balanced strength with compassion. She viewed how these women were the perfect mix of caring and compassionate while still being strong leaders. These mentors helped shape Zimbric’s leadership style now, as she carries a piece of them when she conducts. She now seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the next generation of female musicians.
What does the purple baton mean to you, and why is it an important gift in your conducting career?
For Zimbric, the purple baton is a connection between all women in conducting. This movement was started by Marin Alsop (the first woman to lead a major U.S. orchestra in 2007) to uplift and connect women on the podium. The purple baton serves as a reminder that no one is navigating this path alone, and the purple baton can serve as a light on this path.
The purple baton means more than being a woman conductor—it feels like being a part of something larger than herself and her career. The purple baton is a reminder of all the breakthroughs in the music and conducting world as women rise to leadership roles. It is a small symbol that continues to encourage young women or girls to pursue their passions and dreams, and a reminder that anything is possible.
What was a moment that felt especially meaningful or affirmed that you were on the right path?
Some of the most meaningful moments in her career come from her work with Classics 4 Kids, where she regularly hears from teachers and students about the impact of hearing live music. When she receives letters from teachers describing how their students felt moved or inspired affirms all of her hard work. “That’s when I know this work really matters,” she reflects.
One moment that stands out to her was receiving a drawing from a student of her conducting on the podium. She laughs, remembering how the student drew her pants much shorter than they actually were, but what stayed with her was something deeper. It was a beautiful reminder that the students are always watching, learning, and forming their own ideas about who can be a conductor, as she hopes to serve as a reminder that you don’t have to fit a certain mold. “You can be whoever you are,” she says. Moments like these continue to affirm that her work is not only impactful but essential to the young developing minds in music.
What advice would you give to anyone, but especially young women or girls, who are interested in pursuing conducting?
Dana encourages anyone who has the slightest interest in conducting to fully immerse themselves in music. She says to start with mastering an instrument as a foundation, while also spending time and getting every opportunity possible to observe rehearsals and watch conductors in action. “You can learn so much just by watching how someone leads an orchestra,” she notes, highlighting how leadership, communication, and musical interpretation are all valuable aspects of being on the podium.
She also stresses that passion and persistence are the absolute key. If one truly loves conducting, she believes it is absolutely possible and necessary to pursue it. She advises seeking out mentors, making connections, and asking all the questions while taking time to learn from the experience. Take initiative and find music everywhere, whether that be gathering a group of friends to practice conducting or creating other opportunities to lead and to start conducting. It all starts with having the confidence to begin your journey.
What are your future goals for conducting?
In the near future, Dana is focused on expanding her musical work with Classics 4 Kids. She is putting the finishing touches on her upcoming concert series, where she hopes to continue making classical music more accessible and to have an impact on the lives of young, aspiring musicians. Beyond that, Zimbric is planning how to create more opportunities for the next generation of musicians and conductors as she hopes to open more doors for young musicians to continue the growth of the classical music community.