Conductor, Poet and Advocate
Who is Kalena Bovell?
Kalena Bovell is a Panamanian-American conductor, speaker, and poet recognized as one of today's rising voices in classical music. In 2023, she made history as the first Black woman to conduct an opera in Canada, leading a world-premiere reimagining of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha. She is the 2024 recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and a former Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship Award Recipient. Her 2026–27 season includes debuts with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orlando, where she will conduct her first traditional opera, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and the Texas All-State Orchestra. Raised in Los Angeles, she began private violin study at 18 and now shares her unconventional journey to inspire musicians from nontraditional backgrounds.
“Dear Soul”
"Dear Soul..." is a collection of poetry that chronicles the ups and downs of a woman navigating her way to through life, love, and loss, all while rediscovering the power of her own voice."Dear Soul..." is honest, unapologetic, and uncomprimising in its exploration of real and raw human emotion.