Jacomo Bairos
Described in the press as “thrilling,” “inspirational,” and “world-class,” Portuguese-American conductor and producer Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of the orchestra’s role in modern culture. Bairos pushes the boundaries of traditional orchestral repertoire by fusing musical genres, collaborating and commissioning a wide array of compelling and diverse artists, and rethinking the orchestra’s impact within all communities.
Known for his riveting and innovative performances, artistic excellence, a collaborative spirit, and education initiatives infused with mindfulness and wellness practices, Bairos has redefined the role of an artistic leader within an organization and the community it serves.
As one of most dynamic conductors of his generation, Bairos works with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and institutions. Recent and returning engagements include the San Francisco, St. Loius, Atlanta, Houston, and Singapore Symphonies, as well as the Boston Pops, Metropol Orkest, and Cincinnati Pops to name a few.
Bairos collaborates with and commissions original works for some of today’s most inspiring and prolific, Grammy award-winning artists and soloists. Recent collaborators include new concerto commissions for J’Nai Bridges and Anthony McGill, and performances with Aaron Diehl, Conrad Tao, Jeremy Denk, Terrance Wilson and Jennifer Koh. Further commissions from award winning crossover artists include Robert Glasper, Kishi Bashi, Derrick Hodge, Cory Henry, Magda Giannikou as well as collaborations with Wycleff Jean, Angelique Kidjo, Jon Batiste, PJ Morton, Tank and the Bangas, Jacob Collier, Monsieur Periné and Ben Folds, among others.
Along with composer Sam Hyken, Bairos is the co-founder and artistic director for Nu Deco Ensemble, Miami’s 21st century chamber orchestra. Since its inception in 2015, Nu Deco Ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s music scene, captivating audiences, holistically engaging with the local community, and delivering innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry. Nu Deco celebrates living and 20th century composers and uniquely reimagines classical and popular music, presenting a fresh vision of what a flexible and innovative hybrid-orchestra can achieve in the 21st century. Nu Deco has released seven self-produced albums since 2019. The collaborative album “Paint the Roses” with Larkin Poe peaked at #2 for classical crossover albums on Billboard charts and Nu Deco has amassed over 4 million total views on YouTube and over 3 million combined streams on Spotify.
From 2013 to 2021, Bairos was the Music Director for the Amarillo Symphony, where he lead the organization through unprecedented artistic and fiscal growth with consistently sold-out performances, while growing annual subscriptions year after year. Bairos established numerous institutional programs and community initiatives during his eight-year tenure, including the first ever composers-in-residence with Chris Rogerson, the WTAMU Young Composers Initiative, which workshopped and performed the music of local university students, the dynamic education and outreach programs of Class Act and Symphony Kids, and the highly successful Happy Holiday Pops series. Bairos commissioned 14 new works from composers and artists and performed 21 world premiers with the Amarillo Symphony.
A graduate of The Juilliard School in music performance, Bairos has performed, recorded, and toured the world with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops. Bairos subsequently attended the Peabody Institute for orchestral conducting and studied with Gustav Meier. Further mentorship and studies with esteemed maestros include Kurt Masur, Robert Spano, Larry Rachleff, Marin Alsop and Jorma Panula.
Bairos is both a Chopra-certified meditation instructor and an RYT 200 Yoga Alliance teacher. He guides group meditations, mindfulness practices, yoga, and wellness workshops and is lead wellness director for the youth ensemble members of Nu Deco NXT. Bairos is the creator and host of Nu Deco “Unfiltered”, a podcast that dives deep into the lives and inspirations for some of today’s most relevant artists and industry leaders. Bairos is co-producer for all of Nu Deco Ensemble’s albums, including their self-titled debut album featuring music by Kishi Bashi, Andy Akiho, Nicholas Omiocelli and Sam Hyken. Bairos divides his time between his homes in Miami Beach, Florida and Lisbon, Portugal.