Akiko Fujimoto, Music Director

With expressive style, meticulous preparation and a gift for connecting with ensembles, conductor Akiko Fujimoto is known for evoking dynamic performances wherever she conducts, inspiring praise for her “powerhouse performance” from the San Francisco Chronicle. In May 2026, Fujimoto was announced as the new Music Director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA), the premier orchestra of one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. She also serves as Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony, where she has guided the ensemble through the pandemic and spearheaded a period of unprecedented growth since her appointment in 2019.

Formerly the Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, Fujimoto has made conducting appearances with numerous other U.S. orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony, Houston Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony and the Florida Orchestra. Highlights from recent seasons include her debuts with the Toledo Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, and a return to the Minnesota Orchestra in August 2025 as part of Summer at Orchestra Hall.

The 2026/2027 season marks Fujimoto’s eighth season as Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony. Recent projects include a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, a collaboration with the Dirty River Jazz Band and a 2-part celebration of America at 250.

At the Minnesota Orchestra, Fujimoto worked closely with Music Director Osmo Vänskä and conducted concerts in a range of genres and formats including Sommerfest, pops, and educational programming. She also previously worked with Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta, and Susanna Mälkki as a cover conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As Conducting Associate of the Virginia Symphony, Fujimoto conducted a variety of subscription, educational, and community concerts, and worked closely with Music Director JoAnn Falletta.

In her time as Associate Conductor at the San Antonio Symphony, Fujimoto’s highlights included a gala concert featuring violinist Gil Shaham and fully staged ballet productions of Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. She was widely appreciated for connecting with audiences through her on-stage presentations and weekly pre-concert lectures, and for her successful collaborations with organizations ranging from mariachi and folklórico ensembles to a gospel chorus and military ensembles.

Born in Japan, Fujimoto holds a bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from Stanford University and Master of Music degrees in conducting from Eastman School of Music and Boston University. She began her career with conducting roles at Harvard University and Stanford University, later serving as Director of Orchestras at the College of William & Mary.