Classical:NEXT has always been more than just a meeting point; it’s a global network of pioneers and changemakers. But we know that the biggest challenges that our industry faces—from navigating AI and digital transformation to reimagining how we connect with audiences—don’t stop when the conference ends.
That’s why we’ve created this podcast.
Our industry is in a constant state of evolution, and in the rush of our daily professional lives, it can be hard to find the time to see the incredible work happening elsewhere in the world. This podcast is your ‘one-stop-shop’ to stay in the know all year round.
In each episode, host David Taylor will speak with leading voices from across the community: the musicians, managers, educators, and innovators at the frontier of our sector, to tackle the big challenges, unpack real-world solutions, and get a first look at the emerging practices redefining art music for the 21st century.
So say hello to The Classical:NEXT Podcast!
You can find it on Apple, Spotify and YouTube or anywhere you listen to your podcasts – and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button!
The Debut Episode
For the first episode, David speaks with Victoria Dietrich, who holds a uniquely dual role as the Head of Digital Development and Audience Engagement at the Zurich Opera House. Victoria sits right at the intersection of two worlds that are often kept separate: high-tech innovation and real-world community building. Since joining the team in Zurich, she’s been tasked with exploring how traditional opera houses can use emerging technologies to broaden its reach while staying true to their core.
In this conversation, they dive into the philosophy of ‘opening up’ an institution and what it really means to create meaningful touchpoints with a city. They explore the balance between respecting a traditional audience while actively inviting in the new, and why the secret to engagement might lie in moving beyond ticket discounts toward building genuine, long-term relationships.
Discussions also revolve around the potential of immersive technology to turn complex musical structures into physical experiences, and how a culture of collaboration can help us navigate the unknown frontiers of the digital world.
Victoria will also take part in the panel discussion as part of the 2026 Conference session entitled Opera Is Dead. Long Live Opera.
Victoria Dietrich © Peter Adamik
Meet the Host
David Taylor is an arts entrepreneur, consultant, speaker and author. One of the leading entrepreneurs and thought leaders in the world of classical music, David Taylor has built his career on a dynamic and energetic approach to driving innovation in the arts. This energy saw him named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list and described as an “arts innovator” by the BBC.
Passionate about enabling the next generation of innovators, David is a Lecturer in Artist Development at the Royal Academy of Music. He continues to drive the global conversation on the industry’s future as the host of the Classical:NEXT podcast and author of The Future of Classical Music book series.
Driven by a desire to help those in the arts flourish in the modern world, David is a highly sought-after consultant and coach. His portfolio includes work with high-profile clients such as the New World Symphony (USA), The Philharmonia, St Louis Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Leeds International Piano Competition.
David’s reputation as a speaker and commentator sees him regularly invited to industry events worldwide, including Classical:NEXT, the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, the League of American Orchestras, the Association of British Orchestras, and the World Federation of International Music Competitions. In 2022, he was selected for the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Programme UK, identifying him as a leading voice in the arts.
His experience comes from creating the Yorkshire Young Sinfonia (YYS) in 2015. He grew the organisation to reach an audience of over 7.5 million people in just 4 years, a journey chronicled in the BBC Radio 4 documentary Birth of an Orchestra. Under David’s leadership, YYS became the first youth orchestra in the world to be100% digital, using iPads instead of sheet music.
David Taylor © Mark Carrillo
Watch the Debut Episode
Season 1, Episode 1: Victoria Dietrich
Listen on Spotify and Apple
or anywhere else!