Conductor

Polish-born conductor Pola Benke is a dynamic leader whose artistic vision combines a deep respect for the orchestral tradition with a curiosity for the voices shaping its future. She is Music Director of the Santa Monica Symphony and is represented by CADENZA Artists. Her 2025 appointments as Music Director of Santa Monica Symphony and Assistant Conductor of Pacific Symphony marked a significant milestone in her rapidly advancing career.

As Music Director of Santa Monica Symphony, Benke is shaping an artistic identity built on imaginative programming, musical excellence, and meaningful connections with audiences and communities. Previously, she served as Assistant Conductor of Pacific Symphony and Long Beach Symphony, developing a reputation for her clarity, musicality, and collaborative leadership.

A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Benke believes that the music of our time is an essential part of our humanity. She is committed to bringing new works and underrepresented voices into the concert hall, not as an addition to the repertoire, but as a natural and necessary part of the orchestral experience. Her programming brings beloved masterworks into dialogue with contemporary voices, creating musical experiences that connect generations, cultures, and individual stories.

Before turning to conducting, Benke established herself as a professional cellist, performing with ensembles including Sinfonietta Cracovia in Poland. Her years as an orchestral musician gave her an intimate understanding of the artistic, technical, and human dynamics of ensemble playing. She holds master's degrees in both cello performance and orchestral conducting, bringing together two perspectives that continue to shape her work on the podium. Her experience as a performer informs her approach to rehearsal, her understanding of orchestral musicianship, and her belief in collaborative leadership built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared artistic vision.

Her leadership is defined by kindness, collaboration, and the ability to inspire musicians of all generations to perform at their best. Combining energy and precision with a genuine respect for the people behind the music, Benke creates an environment where artistic excellence and a shared sense of purpose go hand in hand.