Hailed by Gramophone Magazine as "symphonic conductor of stature", conductor, rock guitarist, author and cellist Kenneth Woods has worked with many orchestras of international distinction including the National Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, English Chamber Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra and State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra. He has also appeared on the stages of some of the world's leading music festivals such as Aspen and Lucerne. His work on the concert platform and in the recording studio has led to numerous broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, National Public Radio, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In 2013, he was appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the English Symphony Orchestra, succeeding Vernon Handley. He is also Principal Guest Conductor of Stratford-upon-Avon-based Orchestra of the Swan and cellist of the string trio Ensemble Epomeo