According to Brandau, “In the time since his first experience singing with Pro Musica as a student at Westminster Choir College, Josh has grown and developed immensely the choral program at Edison High School. We look forward to learning from and with him, as he shares his passion, his discerning ears, and his artistry with us.”

“Having first sung with the ensemble in 2017, I’ve long admired its artistry, dedication, and collaborative spirit,” Lisner says. “I’m excited to gain hands-on experience under Dr. Brandau’s mentorship. I’m deeply grateful to PPM and Dr. Brandau for this opportunity. I look forward to developing my skills this season and engaging with the large-scale choral-orchestral repertoire that I feel most drawn to and have dreamed of conducting.”

Brandau concludes, “Our organization has long hoped to share our resources and experience with the symphonic choral repertoire with an emerging young artist in our area. Princeton Pro Musica and I are delighted to welcome Josh Lisner as our conducting fellow for the 2025-2026 season. Watch for him on the podium this season!”

Read Josh Lisner’s full bio here.

Lisner can be seen in a moving sequence of the film (56:40–59:38), where Cooper, portraying Leonard Bernstein, conducts Bernstein’s Candide chorus “Make Our Garden Grow.” The choir was prepared by Joe Miller and guided by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, as Cooper brought Bernstein’s artistry vividly to life.

The recognition extended beyond the screen. The Maestro soundtrack triumphed at the Grammy Awards over fellow nominees The Color Purple, Deadpool & Wolverine, Saltburn, and Twisters: The Album, making Lisner’s contribution part of a celebrated project recognized by the Recording Academy.

“When I walked into the room that day and saw Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Joe Miller all working together, I was overwhelmed with gratitude,” Lisner reflects. “To not only sing for the project but to be captured on-screen, surrounded by colleagues and friends, was truly unforgettable. Being part of art at this level is a dream come true.”

For Lisner, the project represents both a cinematic milestone and a musical achievement. “This was my first Grammy, and I hope it won’t be the last,” he says. “But more than that, being visible in the film itself—contributing to the story of Bernstein through both sight and sound—made me feel as though my work as a performer has entered a new chapter.”