Joel Sandelson’s engaging and insightful musicianship was recognised internationally in 2021 after winning the Salzburg Festival Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award. He returned to Salzburg in summer 2022 to make his acclaimed debut with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and other highlights of the 22/23 season include concerts with Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Dresdner Philharmonie, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hallé, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano and Teatro Comunale di Modena.

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Joel has recently made successful debuts with orchestras including the Philharmonia, Camerata Salzburg, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Orquestra de València, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, among others. In 2020 he completed two seasons as Assistant Conductor at the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He has worked closely with conductors including Sir Mark Elder, François-Xavier Roth, Thomas Dausgaard, Sir Roger Norrington and Lahav Shani.

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Born in London in 1994, Joel Sandelson studied at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music. He later founded and directed the London-based period instrument orchestra Wond’rous Machine. Originally a cellist, early highlights included solo recitals at Wigmore Hall and concertos with orchestras in the UK and Europe.