ABOUT
Connor Lyster is a British conductor and percussionist.
Having gained an honours degree in percussion at the Royal College of Music, under the
tutelage of David Hockings and Alex Neal, he has since gone on to perform professionally
and record with orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra and The Hallé.
Connor studied conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Mark
Heron and Clark Rundell. He has since worked as an assistant conductor to the BBC
Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and The Hallé and has
conducted a wide range of ensembles, including the Manchester Camerata.
During his studies, has participated in masterclasses with Sir Mark Elder, John Storgårds, Ed
Gardner and Nicolás Pasquet. Connor has also been fortunate to guest conduct orchestras
across the North West and is a versatile conductor covering a wide range of repertoire. The
2024/25 season saw him continue to work as an assistant conductor to the BBC
Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras, and saw him make his debut
with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was described by the arts desk as having
“the gifts of economy of movement and focused contact with his musicians”