Music Director Laureate, Michael Stern
Stern first guest conducted the Kansas City Symphony in 2003, becoming Music Director in 2005, and was named Music Director Laureate in June of 2024 at the conclusion of his tenure — the longest in the orchestra’s history — marking 19 years of remarkable institutional growth. During that time, the Symphony achieved unprecedented artistic momentum, moved into its landmark home, Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and cemented the orchestra’s standing as a major American orchestra. Together, Stern and the KCS earned wide acclaim for their bold programming, major commissions — especially by American composers — and deep civic and educational engagement. Their partnership with GRAMMY® Award–winning label Reference Recordings produced a wide-ranging catalog, including their last disc together, released in July of 2026. Titled “To Awaken the Sleeper,” the recording is devoted to the music of Joel Thompson and features Dr. Eugene Rogers and the EXIGENCE Choir, Raymond Santos, Joyce DiDonato, and Yo-Yo Ma.
As a sought-after guest conductor, Stern has appeared with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood, the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, the Atlanta Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, where he made his debut in 1986 under the auspices of Leonard Bernstein. Internationally, he has conducted in London, Paris, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Budapest, Israel, and Tokyo. He has served as Music Advisor to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor of Germany’s Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lyon and the Orchestre National de Lille. He is also currently Music Director of Orchestra Lumos, in Stamford, Connecticut, and served 22 years as founding Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of IRIS Orchestra in Tennessee, which gained national recognition for its innovative, musician-centered model. Their acclaimed recordings on the Naxos and Arabesque labels are noted for highlighting works by contemporary American composers.
Long devoted to cultivating the next generation of young artists, Stern is currently Music Director of the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, one of the leading training music festivals in the country for more than 60 years. His work with emerging musicians has included the National Orchestral Institute, Music Academy of the West, and the Aspen Music Festival and School, including the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, and his alma mater, the Curtis Institute of Music. Beginning in December of 2026, he will assume the role of Music Director of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the renowned Carnegie Hall program founded in 1969.
Stern earned a B.A. in American History from Harvard University and later studied at the Curtis Institute with Max Rudolf. He also co-edited the third edition of Rudolf’s “The Grammar of Conducting,” as well as a collection of Rudolf’s essays and letters. Stern currently lives in Connecticut with his two daughters.
Photo credit: Harley Anderson
Michael Stern is acclaimed as a transformative musical leader whose expressive musicianship, adventurous programming, and commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and service result in orchestras of exceptional artistic excellence.
Stern first guest conducted the Kansas City Symphony in 2003, becoming Music Director in 2005, and was named Music Director Laureate in June of 2024 at the conclusion of his tenure — the longest in the orchestra’s history — marking 19 years of remarkable institutional growth. During that time, the Symphony achieved unprecedented artistic momentum, moved into its landmark home, Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and cemented the orchestra’s standing as a major American orchestra. Together, Stern and the KCS earned wide acclaim for their bold programming, major commissions — especially by American composers — and deep civic and educational engagement. Their partnership with GRAMMY® Award–winning label Reference Recordings produced a wide-ranging catalog, including their last disc together, released in July of 2026. Titled “To Awaken the Sleeper,” the recording is devoted to the music of Joel Thompson and features Dr. Eugene Rogers and the EXIGENCE Choir, Raymond Santos, Joyce DiDonato, and Yo-Yo Ma.
As a sought-after guest conductor, Stern has appeared with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood, the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, the Atlanta Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, where he made his debut in 1986 under the auspices of Leonard Bernstein. Internationally, he has conducted in London, Paris, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Budapest, Israel, and Tokyo. He has served as Music Advisor to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor of Germany’s Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lyon and the Orchestre National de Lille. He is also currently Music Director of Orchestra Lumos, in Stamford, Connecticut, and served 22 years as founding Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of IRIS Orchestra in Tennessee, which gained national recognition for its innovative, musician-centered model. Their acclaimed recordings on the Naxos and Arabesque labels are noted for highlighting works by contemporary American composers.
Long devoted to cultivating the next generation of young artists, Stern is currently Music Director of the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, one of the leading training music festivals in the country for more than 60 years. His work with emerging musicians has included the National Orchestral Institute, Music Academy of the West, and the Aspen Music Festival and School, including the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, and his alma mater, the Curtis Institute of Music. Beginning in December of 2026, he will assume the role of Music Director of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the renowned Carnegie Hall program founded in 1969.
Stern earned a B.A. in American History from Harvard University and later studied at the Curtis Institute with Max Rudolf. He also co-edited the third edition of Rudolf’s “The Grammar of Conducting,” as well as a collection of Rudolf’s essays and letters. Stern currently lives in Connecticut with his two daughters.
Photo credit: Harley Anderson