Symphony Sessions: Lunch & Learns hosted by Palm Beach Symphony Assistant Conductor Harris Han

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Courtesy of Palm Beach Symphony

Harris Han

This installment of Symphony Sessions: Lunch & Learns will be hosted by Palm Beach Symphony Assistant Conductor Harris Han. Individual tickets are $125 per lunch and learn. During these informal and informative sessions, guests will enjoy a three-course gourmet lunch catered by SandyJames Fine Food & Productions and a selection of wines curated by Palm Beach Symphony sponsor Private Cask Imports while deepening their connection with the musicians and performances through a glimpse behind the curtain of how the Symphony prepares for concerts, selects repertoire and more. Attendees will learn about the subject matter and composers that will be performed during the upcoming concert, while enriching their concert experience. Complimentary valet parking is provided.

At this Lunch & Learn, Harris Han will discuss the January 13 concert featuring guest cellist Alisa Weilerstein, who will perform Shostakovich’s gripping Cello Concerto No. 1. The evening begins with Daniel Asia’s thought-provoking Gateways and culminates in the awe-inspiring sweep of Strauss’ Alpine Symphony.

About Harris Han

Harris Han serves as the Assistant Conductor of Palm Beach Symphony and Frost Symphony Orchestra. He is the winner of the 2025 Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Conducting Fellowship and, on the recommendation of the orchestra and Music Director Jaap van Zweden, led the orchestra in a performance of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra in Lotte Concert Hall. In past seasons, he has served as Assistant Conductor of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (NY), Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra (MI), Ithaca College Opera Studio (NY) and as a cover conducting of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (MI). He was invited to the Bach and Beyond Baroque Music Festival in Fredonia, NY for many summers as harpsichord soloist and violinist. Harris has received additional training via the 2024 Riccardo Muti Opera Academy in Japan, the 2024 George Enescu Conducting Masterclass in Romania and the Pierre Monteux Festival and School in Hancock, Maine where he served as Assistant Conductor and Violinist in 2023 and 2024. He was also a Conducting Scholar at Greensboro, North Carolina’s Eastern Music Festival in 2022.

In May 2025, Han graduated from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami with a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting. A trained pianist and violinist, he has served as a collaborative pianist at the University of Miami, Florida International University, the University of Michigan, Cornell University and Ithaca College. He has played violin and piano with the Symphony of the Americas, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano and Violin Performance from Ithaca College School of Music where he studied piano with Charis Dimaras and violin with Calvin Wiersma. At Ithaca, Han won the 2022 Mary Hayes North Competition for senior piano majors and the 2020 Concerto Competition. Conducting teachers include Jaap van Zweden, Palm Beach Symphony Music Director Gerard Schwarz, Cristian Macelaru, Kenneth Kiesler, Hugh Wolff and Grant Cooper. Han is the recipient of the 2025 Career Assistance Award from The Solti Foundation U.S.

About Palm Beach Symphony

Palm Beach Symphony is South Florida’s premier orchestra known for its diverse repertoire and commitment to community. Founded in 1974, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization adheres to a mission of engaging, educating, and entertaining the greater community of the Palm Beaches through live performances of inspiring orchestral music. The orchestra is celebrated for delivering spirited performances by first-rate musicians and distinguished guest artists. Recognized by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County with a 2020 Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, Palm Beach Symphony continues to expand its education and community outreach programs with children’s concerts, student coaching sessions and master classes, instrument donations and free public concerts that have reached more than 90,000 students in recent years. For more information, visit www.palmbeachsymphony.org.

Proud sponsors of Palm Beach Symphony include Cindy and Jerome Canty, Mrs. James N. Bay, Carol and Harold Baxter, C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation, Inc., Kathy Lee Bickham and John Bickham, Leslie Rogers Blum, Jeffrey and Tina Bolton, James R. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui / FINDLAY Galleries, Jerome J. Claeys, Thomas and Carol Bruce, Amy and John T. Collins, The Colony Hotel, Suzanne Mott Dansby, The David Minkin Foundation, Michelle DuBois and James Roiter, Ray K. Farris, Mary and Will Demory, Herbert H. and Barbara C. Dow Foundation, Willard H. Dow and Kelly Winter, Dr. Richard and Diane Farber, Bill and Kem Frick/The Frick Foundation, Inc., Edith Hall Friedheim/Eric Friedheim Foundation, Gerry Gibian and Marjorie Yashar, Paul* and Sandra Goldner, Douglas and Jo Gressette, Irwin and Janet Gusman, Walter Harper, Thomas E. Harvey & Cathleen P. Black Foundation, Doris Hastings Foundation, Carol S. and Joseph Andrew Hays, John Herrick, Addison Hines Charitable Trust, Lisa and George Hines, HSS Florida, Charles and Ann Johnson/The C and A Johnson Family Foundation, Elaine Kay, Aban and Percy Kavasmaneck, Leonard and Norma Klorfine Foundation, The Kovner Foundation, Gary and Linda Lachman/The Lachman Family Foundation, Patricia Lambrecht/The Lambrecht Family Foundation, Donald C. McGraw Foundation, The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, The McNulty Charitable Foundation, Tish Messinger, David Moscow, Palm Beach Design Masters, Park Foundation, Patrick and Milly Park, Nancy and Ellis J. Parker, III, PNC Private Bank, Lois Pope, Provident Jewelry, Ari Rifkin/The Len-Ari Foundation, Dr. Martha Rodriguez and Dr. Jesus Perez-Mendez, Annette Urso Rickel Foundation, Karen Hunt Rogers, The Honorable Ronald A. Rosenfeld, David Schafer, Seth Sprague Foundation, Robin B. Smith, Kimberly V. Strauss, Don and Mary Thompson, Jerome and Carol Trautschold, Sieglinde Wikstrom/The Wikstrom Foundation, and The Ann Eden Woodward Foundation/James and Judy Woods.

*Deceased