With a combined background as an educator and professional conductor, Hisham Bravo Groover brings thoughtful leadership and confidence to inspire students’ continued artistry in Philharmonic. Hisham also holds positions as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, and as Music Director and Conductor of the Buffalo Community Orchestra. Previously, he held positions as Assistant Conductor of the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre, Associate Conductor of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of the Arapahoe Philharmonic, Assistant Conductor of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre, and as co-conductor for the University of Iowa Chamber Orchestra. He holds degrees in conducting and violin performance from Loyola University, Western Kentucky University, University of Iowa, Lamont School of Music, and University of Minnesota. Having studied with both Mark Russell Smith and Dr. William LaRue Jones, Hisham is honored to have the opportunity to work with Philharmonic and GTCYS. When not conducting, Hisham enjoys cooking and spending time in nature.