About Ryo

Driven by a vision to transform the concert experience, Ryo Hasegawa currently serves as Assistant Conductor of the Charleston Symphony, Music Director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (Indiana), and Chair & Founder of Mudita Corporation. Known for his dynamic presence, inventive programming, and ability to connect deeply with both musicians and audiences, Hasegawa has performed extensively across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, garnering international recognition under the mentorship of Marin Alsop, and launched versatile projects promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Most recently, Hasegawa made his debut with the Orchestre Métropolitain at Domaine Forget de Charlevoix, selected to conduct by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. In 2023, he was named the David Efron Conducting Fellow at the Chautauqua Institution. Other recent highlights include international guest conducting debut with the Hamburg Symphony in Germany and the Tacet(i) Ensemble in Thailand. He served as a guest assistant conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Washington Choral Arts, American Composers Orchestra, and São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. He worked both as a conductor and as an assistant with esteemed artists including Marin Alsop, Stella Chen, Eric Jacobsen, Ken Lam, Joseph Young, Anna Clyne, Conrad Tao, and The Westerlies. His past engagements include guest conducting members of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, guest conducting PHASE ensemble (Austria), and Shamisen Ensemble Otoha (Japan).

Since his American conducting debut in 2019 with the Charleston Symphony, Hasegawa has inspired a new generation of musicians and brough national attention to Charleston’s vibrant educational programs. Under his leadership, the youth orchestra has flourished and, in a landmark achievement, made its historical debut at Carnegie Hall in February 2025. In addition to his work with youth orchestra, he curated and conducted the CSO’s inaugural Family concert, earning acclaim for his ability to engage and connect with audiences of all ages. He has led popular community engagement performances, such as Young People’s Concerts, Sunset Serenade at Piccolo Spoleto, and other community concerts.

Equally at home in both symphonic and operatic repertoire, Hasegawa has conducted full productions of Hansel and Gretel at Annapolis Opera and Peabody Opera Theater across Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington D.C. He also served as assistant conductor for productions of Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi at Chautauqua Opera Conservatory.