Conductor History

Kate Tamarkin was named music director on June 24, 1999. She was welcomed to the community at a special gala concert and conducted a free, outdoor concert in June 2000. The Monterey Symphony performed Camille Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals to more than 16,000 school children in April and May 2001. Ms. Tamarkin completed her first full season with the orchestra in May 2001 which coincided with the closing for renovations of Sunset Center, Carmel. During this season, she conducted the orchestra's first ticketed event in the City of Hollister, San Benito County. For two seasons, the orchestra performed at the Pacific Grove Middle School Auditorium. In 2003, Kate Tamarkin oversaw the Monterey Symphony return to a vastly improved Sunset Auditorium. In 2004, Kate Tamarkin resigned from her position to accept a full-time teaching job in Washington, D.C.