ARTS & CULTURE
Text and photos courtesy of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Names Akiko Fujimoto as New Music Director
Following a nationwide search and a season unlike any other in the organization’s history, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas announced the selection and appointment of acclaimed conductor Akiko Fujimoto as the orchestra’s new music director.
The announcement was made May 28 during SoNA’s 2026 Spring Gala, themed “A New Era Begins,” held at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Fujimoto’s appointment follows SoNA’s much-celebrated 2025-26 Season of Discovery, which featured six guest conductors — including four finalists for the music director position — each bringing their own artistic perspective and energy to the podium throughout the season.
“The selection of a new music director is an enormously consequential decision for an orchestra,” said SoNA Executive Director Ben Harris. “So, it was important for us to proceed in a way that was very deliberate and thoughtful. We were very fortunate to work with several outstanding conductors over the course of the season, and Akiko was the clear choice when we saw her brilliant musicianship from the podium, a remarkable ability to connect with our audience and her deeply considerate approach to programming. We could not be more excited to welcome her as the new music director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.”
Widely admired for her dynamic presence on the podium and thoughtful approach to music-making, Fujimoto currently serves as music director of the Mid-Texas Symphony and has previously held conducting positions with organizations including the Minnesota Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony and Virginia Symphony. She has also appeared as a guest conductor with numerous major orchestras across the United States, including the San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra and Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra.
Fujimoto guest-conducted with SoNA in January 2026 as part of the orchestra’s music director finalist process, leading a program entitled Across the Silk Road: Scheherazade, featuring works by Mozart, Borodin, Ravel and Rimsky-Korsakov.
“From my very first rehearsal with SoNA, I felt something special,” Fujimoto said. “There is tremendous artistry within this orchestra, but just as importantly, there is genuine curiosity, openness and heart. I was deeply inspired by the musicians, the organization and the incredible warmth of the Northwest Arkansas community. I am honored and overjoyed to join SoNA as music director, and I cannot wait to begin building this next chapter together.”
“As we reviewed the feedback we received this season from the orchestra, the audience and our stakeholders, we were pleased to see that Akiko’s personality and skills had resonated equally with everyone,” Harris said. “We believe she is the perfect person to guide the artistic vision of SoNA as we begin this new era together. We are so grateful to our amazing musicians, our passionate audience members, and our dedicated supporters for their help and participation in this process.”
SoNA also offered gala attendees a first look at dates for the orchestra’s upcoming 2026-27 MainStage Season, which will officially begin on Oct. 3 and run through April 10, 2027. Additional season programming details, repertoire announcements, guest artists and ticketing information will be announced in the coming weeks in advance of tickets going on sale this summer.
The 2026-27 season will feature six concert programs and the return of several beloved annual traditions, including two performances of SoNA’s annual holiday pops concert Dec. 12, and The Snowman: A Family Concert on Dec. 13. Other MainStage performances are scheduled for Oct. 3; Nov. 8; Feb. 21, 2027; and April 10, 2027. All MainStage concerts take place at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.