Robert Spano

Robert Spano (b. Conneaut, Ohio, May 7, 1961 - ) – Conductor, pianist, and composer. Although a Buckeye by birth, Spano was raised in Elkhart, where his father was a flute-builder. At age fourteen, he conducted an original work with a local orchestra. Following high school, he studied at Oberlin and the Curtis Institute of Music. After a stint as Assistant Professor of Conducting at Bowling Green State University from 1985 to 1989, Spano joined the faculty at Oberlin (where he remains) and landed his first substantial performance position in 1990 as assistant conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he stayed for three seasons. From 1996 to 2004, he served as musical director with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Since 2001, he has also been the musical director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with whom he has won six Grammy awards. In addition, he has distinguished himself as a leading international conductor of concert and operatic performances and is a strong advocate of contemporary works. Among his many appearances as guest conductor was his debut with the MET in the 2018-19 season.