Beatrice Jona Affron '92 MM Becomes Associate Music Director of New York City Ballet

NEC alum and former faculty member Beatrice Jona Affron '92 MM has been appointed Associate Music Director of the New York City Ballet (NYCB). Affron, who studied conducting at NEC under Pascal Verrot, and privately with Robert Spano, officially stepped into her new role on August 1, 2026, as the company prepares for its 2026–27 season. Working alongside Music Director Andrew Litton, she will oversee the artistic and administrative functions of the Music Department and regularly conduct the 62-piece New York City Ballet Orchestra, succeeding retiring conductor Andrews Sill.

Affron appeared with the NYCB in July as a guest conductor at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, leading performances of Tiler Peck’s new ballet, Symphonie Espagnole. This appointment serves as both a homecoming for the New York native and the next step in an illustrious career. Affron has served as Music Director of the Philadelphia Ballet since 1997, built an extensive guest-conducting resume across major American ballet companies, and established a strong record in contemporary music and opera, including conducting the 2002 world premiere of Philip Glass's Galileo.

Way to go, Beatrice!