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BIOGRAPHY

Dynamic Conductor and Pianist Daniel Alfred Wachs is increasingly recognized as one of the few musicians of his generation successfully balancing the demands of a busy conducting and solo career. Recently, his performance with the Minnesota Orchestra “proved a revelation, delivering a technically impeccable, emotionally powerful performance of two Mozart piano concertos and a pair of solo works…” (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Mr. Wachs serves as an Assistant Conductor of the National Orchestra of France in Paris under Kurt Masur. Concurrently, he is Music Director & Director of Instrumental Studies at the newly designated Conservatory of Music at Chapman University in Orange County, California, and newly appointed Music Director of Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Wachs’ recent engagements include Assistant Conductor of the French premiere of Bernstein’s Candide at the Théâtre du Châtelet (a co-production with La Scala & ENO) and as Music Director of Albert Herring with Opera Chapman.  He served as a juror for the 2007 ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Award in New York and as Assistant Conductor & Repetiteur for Cincinnati Opera during its 2007 Season. In February 2007, Mr. Wachs filled in for Valery Gergiev at the Rotterdam Philharmonic, and in April 2008, he stepped in for Vladimir Spivakov at Orange County’s Pacific Symphony. Upcoming engagements include a recital with tenor William Burden, soloist with the Boca Raton Philharmonic, guest conductor of the Pacific Symphony as part of its 8th American Composers Festival, and Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, again with Opera Chapman.

As Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra under Osmo Vänskä, Mr. Wachs’ tenure included a semi-staged performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors (with the Minnesota Opera Chorus and James Sewell Ballet Company), as host and conductor of an evening of Mozart Symphonies,  and various  pops presentations. 

During the 2004-05 Season, Mr. Wachs held the position of Artist in Residence at New York City Ballet, leading performances during the company’s Balanchine Centennial as well as during the 50th Anniversary of The Nutcracker. He has guest conducted such orchestras as the Auckland Philharmonia of New Zealand, The Fort Worth Symphony, the Florida West Coast Symphony, and the National Symphony (as part of the National Conducting Institute). As a soloist, he has performed in such venues as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Salle Padarewski in Lausanne, and at such festivals as Aspen, Music Academy of the West, Tanglewood and Verbier.  

Born in 1976 and raised and educated in the United States, Israel and Europe, Mr. Wachs was auditioned by Zubin Mehta at the age of eight and began studies with Enrique Barenboim. He subsequently pursued studies at the Zürich Academy of Music and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Mr. Wachs holds a Bachelor’s degree in Piano from the Curtis Institute of Music and graduate degrees in piano & conducting from The Juilliard School. He is represented by William Reinert Associates, Inc.