ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has a new helper conductor: 25-year-old Jherrard Hardeman. The RPO made the announcement in a press release Friday. He gets to work in the late summer. According to the RPO, Hardeman is a Detriot native, and is already in demand as a conductor, composer, and violinist.

According to his own website, he was named as the Helper Conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta in September two thousand twenty-two, and studied Orchestral Conducting at The Julliard School below conductor David Robertson. In a statement, Hardeman recalls making an instant connection with Maestro Andreas Delfs of the RPO.

Together, they'll continue to effort the RPO’s efforts in the community in and around Rochester. “I’m the sort of conductor who'll be in the lobby immediately after performances to connect with audiences and speak about what they’ve just experienced, and also to discover out what they want their orchestra,” Hardeman said in that statement.

Portion of his duties will also comprise becoming the new music director for the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The RPO further adds on his duties: “He wil lead the RPO’s signature OrKIDStra family series, education concerts at Kodak Hall, concerts for the community and beyond, our July summer series, and a Mozart and Dvořák program on the Sun Matinee series March twenty-four, 2024.”

“It is with grand pleasure that I welcome Jherrard Hardeman to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as our Helper Conductor for the 2023-24 concert season,” says Maestro Andreas Delfs of the RPO. “Jherrard convinced the audition committee with his excellent musicianship, friendly personality and spirited presentation of ideas and programs. The all RPO family wishes him a pleased and rewarding tenure with a grand American orchestra.”