Rei Hotoda Brings a Creative Vision to the Las Vegas Philharmonic

By Debbie Hall

What happens when a conductor approaches an orchestra not simply as an ensemble to lead, but as a creative partner?

For Rei Hotoda, the answer is possibility.

Now officially serving as Music Director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Hotoda is beginning a four-year tenure that places creativity at the center of her vision for the orchestra. She will conduct Rei Conducts Beethoven on Oct. 17, launching a new artistic chapter for the Philharmonic and introducing Las Vegas audiences to the conductor who will help shape its programming, education initiatives, and community connections.

“When I'm talking about the community and getting to know them, as a new resident here, I acknowledge that we have this incredible team within the Las Vegas philharmonic organization. Our staff is wonderful and innovative, and our public relations team is included. This partnership that we have within the orchestra, getting to know the musicians, as well as partnerships with other arts organizations," said Hotoda.

That sense of possibility is reflected in Hotoda’s approach to programming. Rather than treating the traditional orchestral canon and contemporary music as separate worlds, she sees opportunities for them to exist together.

"This is what I really love: connecting with everyone, seeing what's happening here, and then elevating it into the kinds of programs we can offer. One of the things that is really important is reaching different audiences through the diversity of programs we offer, whether it's the very Vegas Christmas, Studio Ghibli, or these wonderful masterworks we are going to embark on this season. The masterpiece Handel’s Messiah that's been celebrated for almost 300 years, and yet it remains a moment where people come together and celebrate the holidays with this piece. We are exploring different ways that we can reach this community and our audiences.”

Her inaugural 2026–2027 season places iconic works alongside music by living composers, Las Vegas-connected artists, and new commissions. The season includes a new work by James Lee III, music by Las Vegas composers Michael Torke and Viet Cuong, and appearances by acclaimed guest artists Michelle Cann and Joyce Yang.

The season also embraces the orchestra's sheer power, with Ravel’s Boléro and Respighi’s Pines of Rome among the major symphonic works. Principal Timpanist Preston Spisak will be featured in James Oliverio’s Dynasty Concerto for Two Timpani, creating another opportunity for the orchestra’s own musicians to step into the spotlight.

That balance—between familiar and new, established and emerging, ensemble and individual—is central to Hotoda’s creative identity.

A pianist as well as conductor, she brings an unusual perspective to the podium. Hotoda has a particular passion for conducting from the keyboard, allowing her to perform and lead simultaneously. She has play-conducted with ensembles including the American Composers Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fresno Philharmonic, Las Vegas Philharmonic and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

The approach reflects her belief that music is fundamentally about communication.

Hotoda has built an international career around creating those connections. She has appeared with the Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Hawaii, Kansas City, Richmond, San Diego, St. Louis and Utah symphony orchestras, earning recognition for performances that combine emotional intensity with musical sophistication.

Her creative interests also extend strongly into today's music.

Hotoda has championed living composers and emerging voices throughout her career, including leading the American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot Readings in New York City, which featured premieres by six emerging composers. She has collaborated with or performed works by composers including Guillaume Connesson, Viet Cuong, Damien Geter, Gabriela Lena Frank, Vivian Fung, Wynton Marsalis, Jessie Montgomery, Dinuk Wijeratne and Jon Wineglass.

That commitment matters in Las Vegas, a city whose cultural identity is constantly evolving.

As Music Director, Hotoda will work not only onstage but throughout the organization. She will collaborate with the Philharmonic’s administration on audience development and donor stewardship while working with staff to create and oversee education programming and special projects.

Those responsibilities give her an opportunity to think about creativity on a larger scale—not simply what music the orchestra performs, but how the organization connects with the people of Southern Nevada.

Hotoda has already demonstrated that her definition of an orchestra can extend beyond the traditional concert experience. Her work has included contemporary music, new commissions, performances as both pianist and conductor, and collaborations that bring different artistic voices into the symphonic environment.

Her role with the Las Vegas Philharmonic gives her a new canvas.

The orchestra’s 2026–2027 season provides the first extended look at what she wants to create in Las Vegas. There are recognizable masterpieces, new music, local connections, guest artists, and opportunities to showcase the musicians who make up the Philharmonic.

For Hotoda, however, creativity isn't necessarily about choosing something completely new. It can also mean looking at something familiar from a different perspective.

That idea is particularly fitting for an orchestra entering a new era. Hotoda has moved from being the conductor Las Vegas was waiting to welcome to an artistic leader actively shaping what comes next.

“There's a real hunger for the arts in Las Vegas, and this is a very exciting time for me in the orchestra. Audiences can expect lots of exciting and intriguing programs.”

If her programming and career are any indication, the future will not be confined to a single definition of what an orchestra can be. For Hotoda, the possibilities begin with the musicians—and with the willingness to imagine what can happen when they are given the opportunity to explore them.

To learn more, visit lvphil.org or call 702.258.5438. Follow the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Facebook @lasvegasphilharmonic and on Instagram @lvphil.