Léonie Sonning Talent Prize recipient 2025
CONDUCTOR AND SINGER
Not only can Johanne Sofie Bech Madsen both sing and conduct a classical orchestra—she can do both at the same time. She breaks the barrier between conductor and ensemble, but avoids putting herself in the center—for her, it’s always the music that comes first.
In third grade in Aalborg, Johanne began violin lessons, but never truly connected with the instrument. Singing became her sanctuary, and by sixth grade, the violin was set aside. Classical voice came into her life almost by accident through a teacher, and soon she was attending talent programs, MGK, and eventually the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus.
Everything was going according to plan—until a jaw surgery during her bachelor’s studies forced her to stop singing for a time. Fortunately, she could still conduct. She stumbled across an ad for the Malko Conducting School, auditioned, and was accepted.
Since then, she has maintained a dual path as both singer and conductor. She is the principal conductor of the professional Aarhus Chamber Orchestra, where she grows alongside an ensemble built on deep mutual trust.
With support from the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize, Johanne plans to further develop her skills as a conductor by exploring the European conducting scene through masterclasses and international collaborations.
