Conducting Change: How Jessica Bejarano is redefining the modern orchestra at San Francisco Philharmonic

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — As the sounds of Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 fill the rehearsal hall, conductor Jessica Bejarano stands at the podium, guiding her orchestra with passion and precision.

“Let’s make some music,” she calls out, her baton slicing through the air, a symbol of leadership, determination, and representation.

Bejarano is the founder and music director of the San Francisco Philharmonic, an orchestra she built with a vision of inclusion and accessibility. A first-generation Mexican American from Los Angeles, Bejarano’s journey to the world of classical music was anything but traditional.

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“My mother was born in Tijuana, Mexico,” she shares. “She had no inkling of music, no background in music. So what I did is I followed my brother’s footsteps, and then from there, everything just kind of flourished into what it is today.”

It wasn’t until college that Bejarano first experienced orchestral music. “My family was very shocked, very surprised,” she says with a laugh. “They’re like, where did this come from? And I was like, I don’t know, I just love music.”

Despite her talent, Bejarano quickly realized she didn’t fit the mold of what many expected a conductor to look like. “Being a woman of color, you know, having piercings, having tattoos, sometimes you don’t fit the mold,” she admits. But instead of conforming, she used her unique identity to challenge norms and prompt change.

“I’m hoping that my tenacity, what I do on the podium or as a patron in these concert halls, is part of changing that historical expectation of who belongs and who doesn’t belong,” she says.

Her experiences inspired her to create a safe, welcoming space in the world of classical music. “That’s where the San Francisco Philharmonic came to fruition,” Bejarano said. “I created a blueprint of what an inclusive orchestra looked like. I called my top-notch friends and colleagues and said, ‘Let’s start an orchestra. Let’s make this something different and special.'”

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Bejarano founded the Philharmonic in 2019 using her own savings. “I took all my savings out and invested in this dream of creating something that was going to be inclusive,” she says.

Her mission also extends to empowering other women in the field. “As a woman, it was very important for me to create space and opportunity for other women to come conduct a great orchestra, to study with great maestros, and to be the next generation of this field.”

Bejarano carries her roots proudly. “I’m very proud of where I come from, very proud of my mother, my family, and proud that I represent this culture and this group of people that really don’t exist in this field,” she says.

Her mother’s sacrifices remain at the heart of everything she does. “My mom struggled a lot to give us just the basics, a roof over our head, food in our mouths, clothes on our backs,” she says. “I wanted everything she worked for to be worth something at the end of the day. And so from there, I knew I had to go out into the world and do something big.”

For Bejarano, leadership is about more than music; it’s about inspiring others. “My leadership is always about inspiring others to be more and do more, and bringing out the greatness in people,” she says. “That’s something my mother always did. I translate what I learned from her on that podium as a leader and hope that it inspires my musicians and others.”

As Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Latinos, Bejarano stands as an example of breaking barriers, redefining what leadership looks like in classical music, and ensuring an inclusive stage for everyone.

Support the San Francisco Philharmonic by attending their upcoming concerts or following their journey on social media @sanfranciscophil and through their website at www.sfphil.org.