Graduation Spotlight Series: Conducting His Dreams
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Hitesh Benny in the Arts Media Center at Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Photo by Diana Kalaji.
Hitesh Benny ’26, bachelor’s of arts in music and business administration
By Christine Byrd
Like many kids, Hitesh Benny did not practice his violin unless his parents made him. But everything changed when he had the opportunity to arrange and conduct a piece for his high school string orchestra.
“It was like love at first sight,” said Benny. “I thought, ‘This is what I'm going to do — come what may.’”
Despite being his high school valedictorian, Benny knew he needed more training to succeed in a university music program. So he honed his skills in community college, transferred to UC Irvine as a business administration major, and then auditioned for the music major as a vocalist.
“I made this unconventional decision to study as a vocalist, but everybody knew that I wanted to be a conductor,” shared Benny.
To support him in that endeavor, Benny was assigned to serve as an assistant for Geoffrey Pope, assistant professor of teaching and director of orchestral activities, beginning in January 2024. Over time, Pope became a champion and advocate for Benny, creating an assistant conductor position and having Benny conduct in the fall Symphony Orchestra Express, the winter Opera Workshop, and the spring UCI Symphony Orchestra performance.
“Dr. Pope has given me an unprecedented level of access and opportunity to study and soak up everything he does,” said Benny. “The great privilege I have had here, without a doubt, is the level of experience I’ve gotten as his assistant conductor.”
The UC Irvine Symphony Orchestra gathers on stage in formal black concert attire. Hitesh Benny is seated in the front row, second from the right. Photo by Jasmin Miranda.
When Benny interviewed with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County through the Arts Launch internship program, he brought them the postcard he had saved from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Strokestra at UC Irvine in 2024, which the Philharmonic Society had organized. The team at the Philharmonic Society was as impressed with his engagement in the local classical music scene as he was eager to work for them. Serving as an education and community engagement intern, Benny organized a series of panels and concerts to introduce young musicians to music careers. He also supported the Orange County Youth Symphony and served as a production assistant for several concerts by visiting orchestras.
“The Philharmonic Society was like a match made in heaven,” said Benny. “I have had so much freedom, and I've gotten a chance to learn from some of the best, most experienced people in the industry, and made connections with people at music organizations across O.C. and L.A.”
Hitesh Benny standing on the UCI Arts bridge at Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Photo by Diana Kalaji.
Those connections may come in handy as Benny moves on to the next phase of his academic training. After graduating in June, he will go to California State University, Long Beach for a master of music in conducting.
“The biggest gift that I've gotten from music is just the fact that it's connected me to people,” said Benny. “When listening to a recording, I'm connecting to not only the composer, but the performers and their life experiences and the abstract way in which they're communicating that. In that way, as a conductor and musician myself, I get to recreate that and connect with the musicians in front of me and the audience behind us.”
To learn more about the Department of Music, visit arts.uci.edu/music.
