Music Director & Symphony Conductor
Dr. Jean Montès is the Director of Orchestral Studies and Coordinator of Strings at Loyola University New Orleans where he conducts orchestral ensembles and teaches conducting and string pedagogy courses for music education majors. An accomplished conductor, educator, clinician, lecturer, and performer, he is passionate about challenging and stimulating audiences and musicians alike. In addition to his responsibilities at Loyola University, Montès is the Artistic Director of The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras (GNOYO) where he conducts the Symphony Orchestra.
In recent years, Montès has held orchestral leadership positions at Virginia Commonwealth University, St. Ambrose University, the University of Iowa, and with the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia, and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. Montès holds degrees from Duquesne University, Akron University and the University of Iowa where he earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts under the tutelage of Dr. William La Rue Jones.
A musician and conductor who enthusiastically promotes music of all world cultures, Dr. Montès is in constant demand as a conductor, clinician, judge and lecturer with orchestras and schools at all levels throughout the country. His unique approach to repertoire selection and rehearsal techniques enables him to connect, to be effective and admired by audiences and musicians of all ages.
Dr. Montès and his wife, Sarah, reside in New Orleans with their sons, Jaz Léonard and Soley Mica both of whom Montès considers to be his proudest achievements. In his spare time, Montès enjoys playing chamber music with friends, cooking and sports such as soccer, squash, badminton, biking and ping-pong. For more information please visit jeanmontes.com