Kristo Kondakçi, “The Gestures of Persecution and Redemption Through Music”

Kristo Kondakçi  symphonic and opera conductor, assistant professor at Berklee College of Music, and music director of the Kendall Square Orchestra, offers a presentation based on his personal experience:  “How my family endured decades of internment and persecution under a totalitarian regime, in part due to music; how we escaped and emigrated to the U.S. when I was a small child; my journey in becoming a conductor and returning to my home country in that role as a young adult; the lessons from that experience; how the roles of a 'conductor' and the 'orchestra' have evolved (outside of entertainment) and their potential to address a wide range of social issues, from childhood obesity, homelessness, and climate change to effective leadership practices and interpersonal relations in management.”