Music Director and Conductor Sergey Bogza Continues His Role Through to 2030
Panama City Symphony (PCS) presents its special 30th Anniversary Season, which kicks off in September and includes nine concerts and three special events featuring guest artists from around the world alongside more than 100 musicians. Recently, PCS announced the renewal of a five-year contract of its Music Director and Conductor Sergey Bogza, whose tenure began in 2022 and will now run through the 2029-2030 season.
Under Bogza’s leadership, Panama City Symphony has experienced an incredible renaissance. He has significantly raised artistic standards and expanded the repertoire, bringing both beloved classics and exciting new works. Performances consistently receive standing ovations, generating palpable excitement. He has cultivated an environment of growth, collaboration, and community that deeply resonates with all who attend. During Bogza’s tenure, PCS has drawn audiences of more than 8,000 each season. In 2023 and 2024, new music education programs were added, as part of the Symphony’s mission of engaging and inspiring both adults and children and creating meaningful opportunities for musicians of all ages and backgrounds. In the fall of 2025, Bogza is launching the brand-new Adult and Children’s Choruses. Bogza has continued the partnership with Visit Panama City Beach and enhanced the programming for the annual Beach Home For the Holidays concert at Aaron Bessant Park.
Serving in her second year, Dr. Marlene East leads the organization as Board President. She is a retired mental health counselor and a glass artist with non-profit leadership experience. President East said, “This five-year contract renewal reflects our board’s deep commitment to building a stable and collaborative future for the symphony. Dr. Bogza’s exceptional leadership and musical direction have already elevated our organization, and we are proud to continue this journey with him, driving the cultural landscape of our region forward.”
Elizabeth Clark, a Symphony patron for 10 years said, “I’m honored to have the Symphony here in Panama City. Every time I go to Segey’s concerts I say to myself, ‘This is the best one.’ Then I go to the next concert and change my mind and say, ‘This is the best one ever.’ His stories, whether told during the “Moments with the Maestro” or at the start of a performance, are always great and meaningful. The Symphony’s music touches my heart in the deepest ways. I can’t wait for this next Season.”
Bogza’s expertise spans composing and leading opera, ballet, and concert repertoire. He made his professional debut with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and Alabama Ballet in 2024 and is a sought-after guest conductor and speaker. He has held a variety of Music Director roles and has conducted across the US and abroad. Bogza holds a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting.
Panama City Symphony exists to share the joy and power of symphonic music with the broadest possible audience, enriching lives through performances, education, and connection. The Symphony aims to be a leading cultural force in Northwest Florida, celebrated for artistic excellence, innovative programming, and profound community impact. For more information, details of the 2025-26 season, and to purchase tickets, visit panamacitysymphony.org.
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