Akiko Fujimoto

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. Fujimoto is currently music director of the Mid-Texas Symphony, serving the fast-growing region of Seguin and New Braunfels. She has previously held titled conducting positions with three major American orchestras—Minnesota Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony and Virginia Symphony—and made conducting appearances with numerous other U.S. orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony, Houston Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony, Arkansas Symphony and Florida Orchestra.

Fujimoto’s previous conducting roles include a stint as associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, where she worked closely with Music Director Osmo Vänskä. She also previously worked with Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta and Susanna Mälkki as a cover conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In her time with the Virginia Symphony, she served as conducting associate alongside Music Director JoAnn Falletta. She also previously held the title of associate conductor at the San Antonio Symphony.

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 and music director of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestras.