Rising Stars: Meet Pola Benke of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pola Benke.

Hi Pola, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Poland, and I fell in love with the cello at age eight. I came to the U.S. for college, and after a few years back in Europe playing in a professional orchestra, I realized my true passion was conducting so I returned to the US to study again. Since then, I’ve been climbing the ladder and gaining experience with different orchestras. Now, I’m thrilled to be the new Music Director of the Santa Monica Symphony and Assistant Conductor at the Pacific Symphony, a prestigious institution that easily competes with the LA Phil.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges was catching up quickly—I wanted to establish myself before I was no longer considered a ‘young conductor,’ so I had to work incredibly hard in a short period of time. You have to remembr that I changed my career at age 30! before that I was a cellist for over 15 years.Thankfully, my passion for conducting has made the journey enjoyable. Of course, I still encounter disbelief that I’m a female conductor. There’s a lingering stigma, and many people simply aren’t used to seeing women on the podium—but that only motivates me to keep breaking barriers and setting new standards and help future generations of female conductors!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an orchestral conductor—not a train conductor! I’m known for leading orchestras with respect and inspiring musicians to give their best. For me, conducting is about skillful leadership without ego—I constantly make sure the focus stays on the music. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in such a short time, and I think what sets me apart is my ability to connect with people, combined with openness and creativity. Relationships between conductors and orchestras can be tricky, but I’ve learned that true leadership comes from earning respect through how you communicate, collaborate, and inspire—without ever asking for it.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I mostly listen to audiobooks since I do a lot of commuting for work. When I do have time to read, I study musical scores—there are always so many, and never enough time! My audiobooks tend to be educational because I’m constantly learning and picking up new things. As for apps, I keep them to a minimum to avoid distractions, though I do use a running app and Spotify—mostly for classical music, but I enjoy other genres too. For podcasts, I’m a big fan of Simon Sinek; his insights on leadership really resonate with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://polabenke.com

Image Credits
Photos at the concert hall bu Adam Kirchoff