MEET OUR CONDUCTORS
Michael Kohn
Symphony Conductor
Michael is a conductor and French horn player studying for a PhD in Maths at Durham.
As a conducting student he learns with Karen Ní Bhroin, and was recently selected as a participant on the 2025 Girton Conducting Course. He previously went on courses of Peter Stark, took advice from Tim Redmond and Pablo Urbina, and received a masterclass with Dinis Sousa in 2023.
Michael started conducting as a member of the London Schools' Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, he set up Kohncertino, a chamber orchestra for London conservatoire and university students, with whom he conducted four concerts. During his time in Durham he has conducted DUPO chamber, which he then reformed into the Palatinate Ensemble, and was also the musical director for Durham Opera Ensemble's production of Iolanthe in Durham and at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.
His other experience includes over ten years as a horn player, holding an Ash Scholarship at Imperial where he learnt with Simon Rayner at the Royal College of Music.
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Michael is very excited to be conducting DUOS Symphony, an orchestra he has played in for 3 years, for some incredible projects. He hopes to pursue music after his PhD finishes.
Zac developed a passion for conducting after being inspired by Gustavo Dudamel’s performance with the LA Philharmonic at the Barbican. Initially, he formed a chamber ensemble of local musicians in his hometown in Surrey, and has continued to conduct a range of local orchestras and projects. Other conducting highlights have included a performance of the Typewriter by Leroy Anderson at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and a work with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain. Zac has received guidance from John Landor and Alex Mackinder. Since arriving in Durham, his main conducting engagements have been in the Musical theatre scene, musically directing and conducting Pippa Cleary’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.
Zac is also a flautist who has built up extensive solo and orchestral experience. Since arriving in Durham with a Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for Music, in his first year he held the roles of principal flute of DUOS Symphony, Palatinate Ensemble and Classical Ensemble, for which he was also Tour Manager. Previously, he has played with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, English Schools’ Orchestra and National Children’s Main Orchestra amongst many others. He also played as principal flute with Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra, performing with soloists such as Fenella Humphreys and Anna Lapwood in venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall. With the orchestra, he has also undertaken European tours to the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain. Zac currently studies flute with Helena Gourd, and has achieved ARSM and LTCL diplomas. As a Tenor singer, he held a scholarship with St John’s Chapel Choir in 2024-25. He is currently a Deputy Junior Lay Clerk at Newcastle Cathedral and a member of the National Youth Choir of GB, which includes an appearance at the BBC Proms. Zac is also President of Durham Student Music for the forthcoming academic year.
Zac is incredibly excited to make his orchestral conducting debut in Durham with DUOS
Chamber, and is looking forward to an exciting and packed season ahead.
Zac Smith
Chamber Conductor