The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has appointed Tomas Garcia as assistant conductor, effective this fall. Garcia will serve as cover conductor for Music Director Rossen Milanov, and begin rehearsals as conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Youth Orchestra of Central New Jersey, PSO’s youth orchestra partner.

Garcia is an Ecuadorian orchestra and opera conductor based in New Jersey who has led productions of Don Giovanni and Carmen with Rutgers Opera Theater, and has served as assistant conductor for productions including Dialogues of the Carmelites, Dark Sisters, and Jackie O, for which he also served as chorusmaster. He is associate conductor of the Modus Operandi Orchestra, and has worked with a range of ensembles in both symphonic and operatic settings.

As an educator, Garcia has guest-conducted the New Brunswick All-City Festival and regularly works with youth and high school orchestras as a clinician. He is children’s music director at First Congregational Church of Westfield, where he has developed youth music programs that introduce young performers to the stage.

“I am very pleased to have Tomas Garcia join our artistic team,” said Milanov. “I believe that his talent as a conductor, his love of music and experience in opera, and passion for education will not only benefit the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, but our growing community of families and evolving artists.”