“Be Prepared” is not only a motto in the world of scouting, but it’s also good advice for those who work as Associate Conductors of professional symphony orchestras.

Lee Mills holds that position with the Seattle Symphony.

When the orchestra’s music director, Thomas Dausgaard, was unable to conduct the season opening dress rehearsal due to illness, Lee stepped in to lead the rehearsal at the last minute. Lee grew up in the small city of Belgrade, Montana, and began to pursue music seriously after his physics studies didn’t quite work out how he had hoped. Lee Mills’ path as a conductor has taken him to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where he’s served for the past 5 years as resident conductor of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra. KING FM’s Dave Beck talks to Lee Mills on this edition of our Seattle Symphony podcast.