Internationally acclaimed conductor Gerard Schwarz is renowned for his emotionally compelling performances, innovative programming, and dedication to music education. He currently serves as Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra, Palm Beach Symphony, and Frost Symphony Orchestra, and holds esteemed titles as Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony and Distinguished Professor of Music at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. Schwarz is also the visionary behind the Emmy Award–winning All-Star Orchestra television series, which is used as a major educational tool on the Khan Academy platform, reaching millions of students around the world.

Schwarz’s contributions to the classical music world are profound and far-reaching. He has premiered over 300 new works and is a passionate advocate for American composers, with recent long-form commissioning projects that extend beyond a single institution. In just the past year, he has worked with composers such as Paul Moravec, Etienne Charles, Bernard Rands, Augusta Read Thomas, Dorothy Hindman, and Carlo Rivera at Frost, and Ellen Zwilich, Aaron Kernis, and Joseph Schwantner at Palm Beach.

With over 350 CDs recorded across major international labels, Schwarz’s discography spans the major 20th-century ballet repertoire, complete cycles of American symphonists, European masters, and underrepresented gems. He has recorded with leading orchestras around the world, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, and Berlin Radio Symphony.

A Juilliard-trained trumpeter turned maestro, Schwarz’s remarkable five-decade career has earned him 15 Grammy nominations, the Ditson Conductor’s Award, and the title of Conductor of the Year by Musical America. His 26-year leadership of the Seattle Symphony transformed the institution, leading to the creation of Benaroya Hall and significant growth in recordings, broadcasts, and education initiatives. Recognized as both a musical and civic leader, he has received honorary doctorates, national arts appointments, and even had a street named in his honor. He continues to inspire audiences and young musicians alike through his performances, recordings, and unwavering commitment to the future of classical music.