The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra will be using guest conductors for the rest of the 2021-22 season as Music Director Dina Gilbert will be taking some time away after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“Dina is doing remarkably well all things considering. She has a very positive outlook currently and in lots of ways in my interactions with her, it is pretty much business as usual,” KSO Executive Director Daniel Mills told NL News, noting Gilbert will return to the KSO when the time is right.

“We spend a lot of our time communicating back and forth planning concerns and different things and that hasn’t changed whatsoever even with this news. So overall, I would say she is doing well.”

Gilbert has been with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra since 2017, when she replaced the returning Bruce Dunn.

“I, of course, deeply regret having to miss our upcoming productions, which I was greatly anticipating.” Gilbert said, in a statement. “Please know that I am optimistic for the future: we will meet again soon! I can’t wait to be back in Kamloops to share more vibrant musical moments with our audiences and musicians!”

The KSO says with Gilbert’s support and input, they’ve secured the following guest conductors for the rest of the season.

• The Essence of Mahler on March 12 and 13, will now be conducted by Nadège Foofat, who was previously scheduled to make her appearance with the KSO in Feb. 2022.
• Music Director Emeritus Bruce Dunn, will conduct Luminous Voices, on Apr. 16.
• And both iskwē & the KSO, on Apr. 21, and Beethoven & Tabla on April 23, will be conducted by Bradley Thachuk, Music Director of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.