| Karen Lynne Deal |
The 2009/2010 season marks the 10th anniversary of Music Director,
Karen Lynne Deal with the lllinois Symphony Orchestra. During a
time when many American orchestras have folded or suffered
tremendous financial stress, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, under
Maestra Deal’s leadership, is artistically excelling, selling more tickets
to a growing and diverse audience, and is financially strong. She led
the orchestra in its Ravinia debut; created and conducted the Illinois
State Bicentennial Commission’s, "Let Freedom Sing" community
celebration concert at the Prairie Convention Center in honor of the
200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln; and created and conducted the
2008 “An American Dream” concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the
Abraham Lincoln Association and the NAACP and commemorating the anniversary of the
Springfield Race Riots of 1908. Maestra Deal has used classical music not only to entertain, but
also to educate and make history come alive in our state capital and beyond. As a result, she has
been awarded the Illinois Humanities Council, “Studs Terkel” award for her service in
education and outreach, the Illinois Council of Orchestras award for “Community Service,” the
Springfield Art’s Council’s Mayor’s Award for Individual Artist of the Year, and the Illinois
Council of Orchestras award for “Meritorious Service in Outstanding Programming.”
At the heart of her community service and desire to educate is a consummate musician, devoted
to the music itself and those who make it come alive. Noted across the country for her
passionate performances and precise technique, Ms. Deal’s orchestral, ballet, and operatic
repertoire is extensive. Guest engagements have included the Boise Philharmonic, Nashville,
Reading (PA), New Mexico, Waterloo/Cedar Falls (Iowa), Tulsa, Tucson, Sacramento, Richmond
(VA), Springfield (MO), Westmoreland (PA), Brevard (FL), and Bremerton (WA) Symphony
Orchestras, the Kansas City Camerata, and the Orquesta del Nuevo Mundo in Mexico City. At
home with a wide variety of styles and concert formats, Maestra Deal has conducted for such
prominent soloists as Itzhak Perlman, James Galway, and William Warfield, as well as popular
artists, Peter, Paul and Mary, Chet Atkins, Kathy Mattea, and Mercedes Ellington.
Prior to coming to Illinois, Maestra Deal was Associate Conductor of the Nashville Symphony
from 1992-2000. She also served as Music Director and Conductor of Nashville Ballet from 1992-
2000, and frequently guest conducted numerous operas with Nashville Opera and Tennessee
Opera Theatre. Before moving to Nashville, Ms. Deal spent six years as Associate Conductor of
the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and was Founding Music Director of the Sinfonia
Concertante, a professional chamber orchestra noted for its commitment to living composers.
She made her European debut in Vienna, Austria with the Pro Arte Orchestra and also assisted
at the Frankfurt State Opera on performances of “Der Rosenkavalier,” before returning to the
United States to pursue her doctoral studies in orchestral conducting at The Peabody
Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. She also has a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting
and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. She has received conducting scholarships both
at the Aspen and Tanglewood Music Festivals, and won the National Repertory Orchestra’s
Biennial Conducting Competition, serving two years as Associate Conductor.
Ms. Deal’s public image is wide ranging, from appearances on PBS’ Nova science series, to the
1997 “Coolest People,” award by Nashville Life magazine. She has received citations of
appreciation from: the Mayor of Nashville, in “recognition of her years of leadership as creator,
conductor, and coordinator of “Let Freedom Ring,” an annual musical tribute to Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. She is a favorite guest speaker wherever she goes, and is often called upon to
present lectures on leadership and diversity inclusion for academic and civic groups. In
Springfield she has been a guest speaker for the Animal Protective League, Leadership
Springfield, Illinois Women in Leadership, the Urban League, Freedom School, Prairie Heart
Center for Living, Daughters of the American Revolution, and various other non-profit
organizations. An animal enthusiast, Karen lives in Springfield with her dogs Jake and Skye
and enjoys spending the summer snorkeling with whale sharks, giant manta rays, barracuda,
and sea turtles.
Karen Lynne Deal with the lllinois Symphony Orchestra. During a
time when many American orchestras have folded or suffered
tremendous financial stress, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, under
Maestra Deal’s leadership, is artistically excelling, selling more tickets
to a growing and diverse audience, and is financially strong. She led
the orchestra in its Ravinia debut; created and conducted the Illinois
State Bicentennial Commission’s, "Let Freedom Sing" community
celebration concert at the Prairie Convention Center in honor of the
200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln; and created and conducted the
2008 “An American Dream” concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the
Abraham Lincoln Association and the NAACP and commemorating the anniversary of the
Springfield Race Riots of 1908. Maestra Deal has used classical music not only to entertain, but
also to educate and make history come alive in our state capital and beyond. As a result, she has
been awarded the Illinois Humanities Council, “Studs Terkel” award for her service in
education and outreach, the Illinois Council of Orchestras award for “Community Service,” the
Springfield Art’s Council’s Mayor’s Award for Individual Artist of the Year, and the Illinois
Council of Orchestras award for “Meritorious Service in Outstanding Programming.”
At the heart of her community service and desire to educate is a consummate musician, devoted
to the music itself and those who make it come alive. Noted across the country for her
passionate performances and precise technique, Ms. Deal’s orchestral, ballet, and operatic
repertoire is extensive. Guest engagements have included the Boise Philharmonic, Nashville,
Reading (PA), New Mexico, Waterloo/Cedar Falls (Iowa), Tulsa, Tucson, Sacramento, Richmond
(VA), Springfield (MO), Westmoreland (PA), Brevard (FL), and Bremerton (WA) Symphony
Orchestras, the Kansas City Camerata, and the Orquesta del Nuevo Mundo in Mexico City. At
home with a wide variety of styles and concert formats, Maestra Deal has conducted for such
prominent soloists as Itzhak Perlman, James Galway, and William Warfield, as well as popular
artists, Peter, Paul and Mary, Chet Atkins, Kathy Mattea, and Mercedes Ellington.
Prior to coming to Illinois, Maestra Deal was Associate Conductor of the Nashville Symphony
from 1992-2000. She also served as Music Director and Conductor of Nashville Ballet from 1992-
2000, and frequently guest conducted numerous operas with Nashville Opera and Tennessee
Opera Theatre. Before moving to Nashville, Ms. Deal spent six years as Associate Conductor of
the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and was Founding Music Director of the Sinfonia
Concertante, a professional chamber orchestra noted for its commitment to living composers.
She made her European debut in Vienna, Austria with the Pro Arte Orchestra and also assisted
at the Frankfurt State Opera on performances of “Der Rosenkavalier,” before returning to the
United States to pursue her doctoral studies in orchestral conducting at The Peabody
Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. She also has a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting
and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. She has received conducting scholarships both
at the Aspen and Tanglewood Music Festivals, and won the National Repertory Orchestra’s
Biennial Conducting Competition, serving two years as Associate Conductor.
Ms. Deal’s public image is wide ranging, from appearances on PBS’ Nova science series, to the
1997 “Coolest People,” award by Nashville Life magazine. She has received citations of
appreciation from: the Mayor of Nashville, in “recognition of her years of leadership as creator,
conductor, and coordinator of “Let Freedom Ring,” an annual musical tribute to Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. She is a favorite guest speaker wherever she goes, and is often called upon to
present lectures on leadership and diversity inclusion for academic and civic groups. In
Springfield she has been a guest speaker for the Animal Protective League, Leadership
Springfield, Illinois Women in Leadership, the Urban League, Freedom School, Prairie Heart
Center for Living, Daughters of the American Revolution, and various other non-profit
organizations. An animal enthusiast, Karen lives in Springfield with her dogs Jake and Skye
and enjoys spending the summer snorkeling with whale sharks, giant manta rays, barracuda,
and sea turtles.
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