Best and Brightest: Ryo Hasegawa

Ryo Hasegawa

Assistant Conductor of the Charleston Symphony, Director of the College of Charleston Orchestra, Founder and Chair of Mudita America and Mudita Japan

Charleston Symphony

Charleston

Age 28

I am the assistant conductor of the Charleston Symphony and founder of Mudita, a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to fostering cross-cultural collaboration through the arts. Recognized for my entrepreneurial leadership and innovative approach to audience engagement, I am redefining how orchestras connect with their communities while building an international conducting career across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Since joining the Charleston Symphony in 2019, I have helped expand the organization's educational and community initiatives, leading the youth orchestra program to its Carnegie Hall debut in 2025, and developing concerts that welcome new and diverse audiences. My recent conducting engagements include the Orchestre Métropolitain, where I was selected by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) as assistant to my mentor, Marin Alsop. During the 2026–27 season, I make subscription debuts with both the Charleston Symphony and NOSPR. Originally from Kanagawa, Japan, I am passionate about using music as a catalyst for cultural exchange, education, and community impact, bringing together artists and audiences across disciplines and borders.

Definition of a Successful Leader: To me, a successful leader is someone who creates an environment where others can do their best work and become the best version of themselves. Leadership is not about being the person in front; it is about earning trust, providing a clear sense of purpose, and helping people believe that what they are doing matters. As a conductor, my role extends far beyond beating patterns. My responsibility is to bring together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and talents around a shared vision, creating a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute. When people feel safe to take risks, collaborate openly, and support one another, extraordinary things become possible. I believe the greatest measure of leadership is not personal achievement but the lasting impact you have on others. If the people around me leave with greater confidence, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose, then I have succeeded as a leader.

Advice to 18-Year-Old Self: I would tell my 18-year-old self: Be yourself. Growing up in Japan, I often felt that fitting in was valued more than standing out. It was easy to believe that the safest path was to blend in, avoid taking risks, and worry about what others might think. Whenever I showed a different side of myself, it didn't always feel rewarded. Over time, I've learned that authenticity is one of the greatest strengths a person can have. Not everyone will understand your vision, your personality, or your path — and that's OK The goal isn't to be liked by everyone; it's to be true to who you are and to find the people who appreciate that authenticity. The opportunities that have shaped my life and career have come not from trying to fit someone else's expectations, but from embracing my own voice. Looking back, I would tell my younger self to trust that being genuine will always attract the right people and open the right doors.