Mina Zikri is Founder and Music Director of the Avant Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Northbrook Symphony. He also serves as Resident Conductor of the Lira Ensemble and directs three orchestras at DePaul University’s Community Music Division. The Avant Symphony Orchestra, which evolved from the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, builds upon more than two decades of artistic development under Zikri’s leadership.

His artistic development was shaped through work with some of the most influential
conductors of the modern era, including Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, and Pierre Boulez. Through his association with the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra, he gained valuable experience assisting and performing under Barenboim on international tours, helping to shape an artistic approach grounded in collaboration, discipline, and musical integrity. 

An active conductor on the international stage, Zikri appears regularly with the Egypt National Symphony Orchestra and has led performances throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States. In 2018, he made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago and returned for a second performance the following season. He also collaborates with the North Shore Chamber Music Festival under the artistic direction of Vadim
Gluzman and Angela Yoffe.

Committed to both artistic excellence and education, Zikri directs the DePaul Concerto Festival for Young Performers and is widely recognized for his work mentoring emerging musicians. His career distinctions include being selected as one of twelve finalists in the 2007 Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition from a field of 223 candidates representing 40 countries.
He also attended the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival and School as a fellowship recipient. Through his conducting, he seeks to build lasting artistic communities while bringing clarity, energy, and expressive depth to the concert stage.