BIOGRAPHY

“My goal," she says, "is to bridge the gap between classical music and audiences. All music belongs to people and tells the story of a culture that we need to embrace and continue sharing through the arts.”

Recognized for her versatility, musicality and passion, Jolie Gonzalez-Masmela is a dynamic orchestra and opera conductor, a dedicated advocate for community engagement, and a fervent supporter of the arts. Hailing from Ibagué, Colombia, Jolie has built a vibrant artistic career across Colombia, Mexico, Chile, China, and the USA. 

Jolie has been selected for the TAKI Alsop Conducting Fellowship Mentee program for 2024-25, under the guidance of the prestigious conductor Marin Alsop. Previously, she was selected to participate in the first Conducting Competition with the National Symphony of Colombia in 2023, and that same year, she was chosen to be part of the HUB of Women Conductors in Chile. In 2022, Jolie was awarded the Carlos Miguel Prieto Fellowship and was selected Conductor in Residence with the Sinfónica Azteca in Mexico due to her exceptional development. She also served as Music Director of the Ibague University Symphony Orchestra- Colombia from 2020-21 and as Conductor in Residence at the Global Music School in China in 2019. 

With a strong commitment to using the arts for social impact, Jolie has led many educational and community programs to support vulnerable and underrepresented communities. Her versatility extends beyond conducting to include music directing, production, management, performing with jazz orchestras, acting, writing poetry for musical projects, and creating innovative artistic crossovers, all of which highlight her creativity and range. 

PROJECTS

  • Jazz and LatinX

    Assistant Production Manager
    University of Northern Colorado

    Currently, Jolie serves as APM at the University of Northern Colorado, where she works directly with the ensembles and is responsible for organization, lighting, artist management, and recruitment. Specifically, she collaborates with the Jazz and LatinX programs, which aim to study the musical traditions of Latinx music.
    Colorado, USA

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  • Perdida Project

    Perdida Project - Paul Elwood
    Director, Actress, Singer, and Lyricist

    The Perdida Project was selected to participate in “Through Lines” in Colorado. It is a theatrical work in three scenes written by composer Paul Elwood for Jolie. The piece is designed for a director who must lead an ensemble, sing, play guitar, and act.
    Colorado, USA

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HIGHLIGHTS

2024

TAKI Alsop Conducting Fellowship Mentee Program
Fellow Conductor Mentee

A prestigious program led by renowned conductor Marin Alsop, where Jolie will receive mentorship from Alsop and other leading conductors in orchestra and opera today.
USA, 2024-25

NOI +F National Orchestra Institute and Festival

Jolie was selected to participate in the NOI Conducting Institute, where she received mentorship from orchestra conductors Marin Alsop and Mei-Ann Chen. The repertoire worked on included Mahler's Symphony No. 1 and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
MD, USA.

UNCO Opera - L’Elisir d’amore Opera

Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master Jolie prepared the choir for the opera.
Colorado, USA.

Ensemble Support Specialist
University of Northern Colorado

Jolie worked as an ensemble specialist, playing a key role in the development of the artistic activities on the calendar of the university's College of Music and Arts.
Colorado, USA.

2023

National Symphony of Colombia - Conducting Competition
Selected for the Second Phase

This was the inaugural national orchestra competition with the National Symphony of Colombia. The program was led by one of Colombia's most important conductors, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, who selected 8 participants from 240 applicants for the live round in Bogotá. The competition covered repertoire by Kodály, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, and Beethoven.
Bogotá, Colombia.

Conservatorio del Tolima
Guest Conductor

Jolie, a former student of the Conservatorio del Tolima in Colombia, is currently a guest conductor with the symphony. She has conducted conducting workshops and is developing a relationship between the University of Northern Colorado and the conservatory.
Ibagué, Colombia.

2022

Sinfónica Azteca
Conductor in Residence

Jolie was selected to participate in the artistic residency of Orquestas de las Américas and Sinfónica Azteca in Mexico, assisting its artistic director Paolo Bartolameolli during a tour in Mexico City, Puebla, and Xalapa. The repertoire included works by Mahler and Ponce.
Mexico

Carlos Miguel Prieto Conducting Fellowship - OAcademy
Fellow Conductor

Jolie was chosen to complete the Artistic Diploma, where she received mentorship from conductors such as Barbara Hannigan, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Marin Alsop, Alexander Shelley, Simone Young, among others.
USA

2021-2024

University of Northern Colorado Symphony-Opera 2021-2024
Graduate Assistant Conductor

Jolie González was selected as the sole assistant to the orchestra and opera for 4 consecutive years. Jolie was awarded a full scholarship during this time to pursue her doctoral studies.
Colorado, USA

2020-2021

Universidad de Ibagué Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra Director

Jolie was the music director of the Symphony Orchestra, responsible for selecting the repertoire, making arrangements, and attracting more university students to get involved with the orchestra, among other tasks.
Ibagué, Colombia.

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Coaching and Consulting sessions

Get in contact with Jolie using the form below to enquire about Conducting Lessons, Rehearsal Techniques, Video Evaluations