I saw this on a twitter tweet:
So I followed up on the article and found a short article that raised the question – is it harder to be a conductor if you are a woman?
Frankly, the challenges of becoming a conductor are daunting enough without adding to them the worries of doing it as a woman, and considering what that might add to the difficulties of succeeding in the career. If anything, I have decided that being a woman is not a handicap but perhaps in some ways even an advantage.
I don't think the article dealt with enough of the inherent issues, but it did end with the assertion that music is the ultimate leveling field:
the career that I have chosen is not for the weak of heart, regardless of their condition, gender or nationality. Musicianship is the ultimate levelling field. Everyone who has dared to travel this path has experienced the fears and challenges of the conductor’s life. However, of the many privileges that life has given me – being a woman amongst them – I have been blessed to know that the music, the audience and my ability to dream are far more important than my fears.
Sharon Hansen says