united states. here's cbs' mark strassmann. >> reporter: by coincidence, nathalie stutzmann introduction as conductor came the night the atlanta symphony orchestra played tchaikovsky's 5th. it has a recurring theme just like america's major symphonies, the maestro invariably is a man. ♪ ♪ ♪ ...until now. >> i am nathalie stutmann. i'm a conductor. >> reporter: also a renowned contralto, a female singer with the lowest vocal range. as a young musician in europe she also dreamed of conducting, her music teacher refused to consider it. >> i found it magic. i mean it was just the repertoire and the voices that you can have, when you conduct. >> reporter: you were told